(William), a zealous English reformer, and memorable for having made the first English version of the Bible, was born on the borders of Wales sometime before 1500. He was of Magdalen-hall in Oxford, where he distinguished himself by sticking in early the doctrines of Luther, and by zealously propagating those doctrines among others. Afterwards he removed to Cambridge, and from thence went to live with a gentleman in Gloucestershire in the capacity of tutor to his children.—While he continued there, he showed himself so furious for Luther, and so inveterate to the pope, that he was forced, merely for the security of his person, to leave the place. He next endeavoured to get into the service of Tonfall bishop of Durham, but did not succeed. His zeal for Lutheranism made him desirous to translate the New Testament into English; and as this could not safely be done in England, he went into Germany, where, setting about the work, he finished it in 1527. He then began with the Old Testament, and finished the five books of Moses, prefixing discourses to each book, as he had done to those of the New Testament (a). At his first going over into Germany, he went into Saxony, and had much conference with Luther; and then returning to the Netherlands, made his abode chiefly at Antwerp.

(a) An anecdote is told of Bishop Tonfall, which is amusing in itself, and does much honour to the Bishop's moderation. Tonfall being at Antwerp in 1529, he sent for one Packington an English merchant there, and desired him to see how many New Testaments of Tyndale's translation he might have for money. Packington, who was a secret favourer of Tyndale, told him what the Bishop proposed. Tyndale was very glad of it; for, being convinced of some faults in his works, he was designing a new and more correct edition: but he was poor, and the former impression not being sold off, he could not go about it: so he gave Packington all the copies that lay in his hands; for which the Bishop paid the price, and brought them over, and burnt them publicly in Cheapside.—Next year, when the second edition was finished, many more were brought over; and one Constantine being taken in England, the lord chancellor, in a private examination, promised him that no hurt should be done him if he would reveal who encouraged and supported them at Antwerp; which he accepted of, and told them that the greatest encouragement they had was from the Bishop of London, who had bought up half the impression. This made all that heard of it laugh heartily, though more judicious persons discerned the great temper of that learned Bishop in it. During his peregrinations from one country to another, he suffered shipwreck upon the coast of Holland, and lost all his books and papers. His translations of the Scriptures being in the mean time sent to England, made a great noise there; and, in the opinion of the clergy, did so much mischief, that a royal proclamation was issued out, prohibiting the buying or reading such translation or translations. But the clergy were not satisfied with this, they knew Tyndale capable of doing infinite harm, and therefore thought or nothing less than removing him out of the way. For this purpose one Philips was sent over to Antwerp, who insinuated himself into his company, and under the pretext of friendship betrayed him into custody. He was sent to the castle of Tilford, about 18 miles from Antwerp; and though the English merchants at Antwerp did what they could to procure his release, and letters were also sent from lord Cromwell and others out of England, yet Philips delivered himself to heartily, that he was tried and condemned to die. He was first strangled by the hands of the common hangman, and then burned near Tilford castle, in 1536. While he was tying to the stake, he cried with a fervent and loud voice, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes."