Alexander Nowell

Alexander Nowell (13 February 1602, aka Alexander Noel) was an Anglican priest and theologian. He served as Dean of St Paul's during much of Elizabeth I's reign, and is now remembered for his catechisms, written in Latin. Early life He was the eldest son of John Nowell of Read Hall, Read, Lancashire, by his second wife Elizabeth Kay of Rochdale, and was the brother of Laurence Nowell. His sister Beatrice was the mother of John Hammond; Robert Nowell, attorney of the court of wards, was his other brother. Nowell was educated at Middleton, near Rochdale, Lancashire and at Brasenose College, Oxford where he is said to have shared rooms with John Foxe the martyrologist. He was elected fellow of Brasenose in 1526, spending some 13 years in Oxford. In London In 1543 Nowell was appointed master of Westminster School, and, in December 1551, prebendary of Westminster Abbey. During this period he became involved in a controversy with Thomas Dorman, over the views of the late John Redman, which ran on in different forms for many years.