Tyndale, William
Tyndale, William (circa 1492-1536),
English biblical translator, and writer. Born in Gloucestershire, Tyndale
received his master's degree from the University of Oxford. He was ordained in
1515 and then went to the University of Cambridge. There he determined to
translate the Bible from the Greek into English in order to combat corruption
in the English church and extend scriptural knowledge among the common people
of England. Receiving no support from the bishop of London, however, he
traveled to Germany, where he met Martin Luther, espoused Reformation
principles, and, in Cologne, began (1525) the printing of his English version
of the New Testament; it was completed in Worms. He published his annotated
translation of the Pentateuch in 1530.
Tyndale's translations were
vigorously opposed by ecclesiastical authorities in England. Nonetheless, his
version of the Bible, together with the earlier translations of the English
theologian and religious reformer John Wycliffe, formed the foundation of the
Authorized (King James) Version of 1611. Tyndale was the author of a number of
tracts upholding the English Reformation. He was taken into custody by imperial
representatives in Antwerp and, after 16 months of imprisonment, was tried; on
October 6, 1536, Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake.