Sir Thomas Bodley, the founder of the Bodleian library, born in Exeter, March 2, 1544, died in Oxford, Jan. 28, 1612. At the age of 12 he went to Geneva with his father, and studied the ancient languages and divinity at the then newly founded university of that city. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1558 he returned to England, entered the university of Oxford, became fellow of Merton college in 1564, and tilled various offices in the university till 1576, when he commenced four years1 foreign travel, After his return he was made gentleman usher to Queen Elizabeth, and in 1585 forfeited his fellowship by marriage. Queen Elizabeth employed him after this in various embassies - to Denmark, Brunswick, Hesse, France, and the Hague. At the Hague, where he was admitted one of the council of state, he remained live years, but was again sent thither, not finally quitting Holland till 1597. From this time he abandoned the public service, and set about restoring the public library at Oxford. He was knighted on the accession of James I. His autobiography was published at Oxford in 1647.