ASCHAM, ROGER, a distinguished English writer and classical scholar, was b. in 1515 at Kirby Wiske, in Yorkshire. He received his early education in the family of Sir Anthony Wingfield, and in 1530 entered St. John's college, Cambridge, where lie took his degree of M:A. in 1536. The study of the classics, especially Greek, had recently been revived at Cambridge, and the natural bent of A. impelled him with ardor to these studies. His reputation as a classical scholar soon brought him numerous pupils; and there being at that time no Greek chair, he was appointed by the university to read lectures in the public schools. He at first opposed the then new method of pronuncia• tion which is still used in England; but afterwards adopted and defended it. His leisure hours were devoted to music, penmanship. in which lie excelled, and archery. In defense of the latter art, lie wrote, in 1554, a treatise entitled Tarophilus, the pure English style of which, independently of its other merits, ranks it among the classical pieces of English literature. For this treatise, which was dedicated to Henry VIII., he was rewarded with an annual pension of £10, equivalent to about £100 of our present money About the same time, he was appointed university orator. In 1548, on the death of his former pupil, Grindal, lie was called to supply his place as master of languages to the lady Elizabeth. In this office he gave the highest satisfaction; but at the end of two years abruptly resigned it, on account of some offense lie had taken at some persons in the princess's household. That he did not lose favor at court, however,
is manifest, from his having soon after been appointed secretary to Sir Richard Morvsine, ambassador to the court of Charles V. He spent three years in Germany, and published an account of his observations in that country. He also made a short tour in Italy. During his absence, he had been appointed Latin secretary to Edward VI. On his return, after the death of the king, the interest of Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, secured his appointment to the same office under Mary; his pension also was doubled. Ills prudence and moderation preserved him from offending by his Protestantism. After the death, of Mary, Elizabeth retained him at court in the capacity of secretary rind tutor, which he discharged till his death, in 1568. His principal work, The Schoolritaster, a treatise on classical education, was published in 1571 by his widow. his Latin letters and poems have been frequently reprinted. The best edition of the former is that of Elstob (Oxford, 1703). To an edition of his English works, by the Rev. J. Bennet (1767), is prefixed a life by Dr. Johnson.—Ascutor, a case for the reception of the bow, arrows, strings, and other accoutrements of the archer, derives its name from the author of the Tarophilus.
ASClIE, RABBI, b. at Babylon, 354 A.D.; the first and principal editor of the "Talmud," on which he worked 30 years, leaving the finishing to his disciples, Abina and Jose. He was a man of great learning.