SANCROFT, WILLIAM (1616-1693), archbishop of Can terbury, was born at Fressingfield, Suffolk, on Jan. 3o, 1616, and entered Emmanuel college, Cambridge, in July 1634. He became fellow in 1642, but was ejected in 1649 for refusing to accept the "Engagement." He remained abroad till the Restoration, after which he was chosen one of the university preachers, and in 1663 was nominated to the deanery of York. In 1664 he was in stalled dean of St. Paul's, to the rebuilding of which, after the fire of 1666, he gave £1,400. He also rebuilt the deanery, and im proved its revenue. In 1668 he was admitted archdeacon of Can terbury upon the king's presentation, but he resigned the post in 167o. In 1677, being now prolocutor of the Convocation, he was unexpectedly advanced to the archbishopric of Canterbury. He attended Charles II. upon his deathbed. He wrote with his own hand the petition presented in 1687 against the reading of the Declaration of Indulgence, which was signed by himself and six of his suffragans. For this they were all committed to the Tower, but
were acquitted. Upon the withdrawal of James II. he concurred with the Lords in a declaration to the prince of Orange for a free parliament, and due indulgence to the Protestant dissenters. But, when that prince and his consort were declared king and queen, he refused to take the oath to them, and was accordingly suspended and deprived. From Aug. 5, 1691, till his death on Nov. 24, 1693, he retired to his native place.