Sir Henry, an eminent writer, was the son of Thomas Wotton, Esq., and was born on the 30th of March 1568. He studied for some time at New College, Oxford, whence he removed to Queen's College, where he made great progress in logic and philosophy; and wrote a tragedy for the use of that college, called Tancredo. According to Walton, he proceeded A.M. After leaving the university, he travelled into France, Germany, and Italy; and having spent about nine years abroad, he returned to England, and became secretary to Robert, earl of Essex, with whom he continued till that earl was apprehended for high treason. He then retired to Florence, where he became known to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who sent him privately with letters to James VI., king of Scotland, under the name of Octavio Baldi, to inform that king of a design against his life. Some months after he went back to Florence; but King James coming to the possession of the crown of England, Wotton returned home, was knighted by his Majesty, and sent ambassador to the republic of Venice, and afterwards was employed in many other embassies to that and other courts; but the only reward he obtained for these services was his having the provostship of Eton College conferred upon him in the year 1623. He was ordained deacon, as the office could not be regularly held by a layman. He died in December 1639. After his decease, some of his manuscripts and printed tracts were published together in a volume, entitled Reliquiae Wottonianae; but he was the author of various works which are not included in this collection. His life by Isaac Walton is well known to the learned.