John, an English martyr, was born in Somersetshire, towards the close of the fifteenth century. He was educated at Oxford, where he took his degree of bachelor of arts in 1518. After becoming a Cistercian monk, he returned to Oxford, where the works of the continental reformer, in conjunction with the Holy Scriptures, opened his eyes to the errors of Popery. In 1539 he became chaplain to Sir John Arundel, but his leaning towards the principles of the reformers being discovered, he fled to France. Returning to England, he was again discovered, and escaped to Ireland, disguised as a sailor. From Ireland he again went to the Continent, and remained in Switzerland till Edward VI. ascended the throne in 1547. In 1550 he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester, but his repugnance to using the robes of the bishops, which he considered relics of Popery, kept him back for some time from entering upon his episcopal duties. He was even committed to prison for non-compliance. In 1552 he was created Bishop of Worcester in commendam. In 1553, upon the accession of Queen Mary, he was seized and put in the Fleet. Upon examination he refused to recant his opinions, and was condemned to the flames. The sentence was executed in the beginning of 1555, when Hooper was in the 60th year of his age. He was zealous in the discharge of his sacred duties, and was a popular preacher. He wrote extensively on the controverted subjects of the day, and suffered martyrdom with great Christian fortitude.