ASCHAM, ID, ROGER (1515-68). A dis tinguished English writer and classical scholar, born at Kirby Wiske. in Yorkshire. He received his early education at home nnder the direction of his father and in the family of Sir Anthony Wingfield, and in 1530 entered Saint John's Col lege, Cambridge. where he took his degree of M.A. in 1537. The study of the classics, especially Greek. had recently been revived at Cambridge, and Ascham's bent impelled him with ardor to these studies. Ills reputation as a classical scholar scion brought him numerous pupils, and there being at that time no Greek chair, Ice was ap pointed by the University to read Greek lectures. At first he opposed the newly introduced method of pronunciation, which is still used in England, but afterwards adopted and defended it. His leisure was devoted to music, penmanship, in which he excelled, and archery. In defense of the latter art he published, in 1545, a treatise, entitled Torophilas, the pure English style of which. independently of its other merits, ranks it among the classical plops of English litera ture. For this treatise, which was dedicated to Henry V111., he was rewarded with an annual pension of £10. equivalent to about $500 of our present In 1546 he was appointed uni versity orator; and in 1548, on the death of his former pupil, Crindal, he was called to supply his place as master of languages to the Princess Elizabeth. In this office lie gave the highest
satisfaction, but at the end of two years abruptly resigned it because of a quarrel with the steward of the household. That lie did not lose favor at court, however, is manifest from his having soon after been appointed secretary to serve Richard Alorysin, ambassador to the court of Charles V. Ile spent three years in Germany and in Italy, and on his return published the diary he had kept during his travels. The interest of Gar diner, Bishop of Winchester, secured his apiloint inent as Latin secretary to Queen Mary; his pension also \vas doubled. Ilis prudence and moderation preserved him from offending by his Protestantism. Alter the death of Mary, Elisa beth retained him at court as secretary and tutor, posts which he held till his death. in 1568. His second work. The Sehoolmaster, a treatise on classic-al education, was published in 1570 by his widow, Consult: The Collected of :ts•ham, ed. J. A. Giles (London, 1864 65 ) ; To.rophilus, ed. Arbor (London, 1868) ; The Nehoolinaster, ed. Mayor (London, 1863) ; and the reprint by Artier (1870) ; and Katter feld. /?oucr .1sehrini, solo Leben and seine Werke (Strassburg, 1880).