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Zachary Cradock (1633–1695) was a provost of Eton, and brother of Samuel Cradock.

Early life

His father was settled in Rutland. He was educated in Cambridge at Emmanuel College, and Queens' College, and elected fellow of the latter on 2 August 1654.

Career

In 1656 Ralph Cudworth recommended him to secretary John Thurloe as resident chaplain at Lisbon, and he held the post for several years. He became canon of Chichester at between 1669 and 1670, and fellow of Eton College in December 1671. He was also chaplain in ordinary to Charles II. On 24 February 1680 he was elected provost of Eton, in succession to Richard Allestree and in opposition to Edmund Waller the poet, who, according to Wood, ‘had tugged hard for it.’ In June 1695 it was reported that the deanery of Lincoln was offered him. He died in September 1695, and was buried in Eton College Chapel.

He was very celebrated as a preacher. His eloquence gained him fame even in that renowned age of pulpit eloquence. It is recorded that though he always spoke ex tempore, he was so far from being vain of the accomplishment as occasionally to put on his spectacles, and spread out on the cushion before him a notebook really containing nothing but blank leaves. Diarist John Evelyn was acquainted with him and frequently visited him at Eton. A sermon by him was preached before the king was published in 1678, and went through five editions before 1695. It was reissued in 1740 and in 1742. Another sermon was issued posthumously in 1706.

References

1. THURLOE, Papers v. 522; Cal. State Papers, 1657, p. 466
2. Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 1272
3. "Provosts of Eton". The Star. 17 May 1884. p. 4. Retrieved 28 June 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Evelyn's Diary, ii. 353, 355, iii. 19

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Cradock, Zachary". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

v t e Provosts of Eton College
Henry Sever William Waynflete John Clerk William Westbury Thomas Barker Henry Bost Roger Lupton Roger Aldrich Sir Thomas Smith Henry Cole William Bill Richard Bruerne William Day Sir Henry Savile Thomas Murray Henry Wotton Richard Steward Francis Rous Nicholas Lockyer Nicholas Monck John Meredith Richard Allestree Zachary Cradock Henry Godolphin Henry Bland Stephen Sleech Edward Barnard William Hayward Roberts Jonathan Davies Joseph Goodall John Lonsdale Francis Hodgson Edward Craven Hawtrey Charles Old Goodford James John Hornby Edmond Warre Montague Rhodes James Lord Hugh Cecil Henry Marten Claude Aurelius Elliott Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia Martin Charteris, Baron Charteris of Amisfield Antony Acland Eric Anderson William Waldegrave, Baron Waldegrave of North Hill

• 1633 births
• 1695 deaths
• Fellows of Eton College
• People from Rutland
• Provosts of Eton College