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Sir Henry Wotton

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1630) was a diplomatist and scholar, born in Kent. He was ambassador of James I for 20 years, chiefly at Venice. He visited Kepler on one occasion, and found him a very "ingenious person," and came under temporary eclipse for his definition of an ambassador, "An honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country". He was ultimately provost of Eton, and was a friend of many good men, among others Isaac Walton, who wrote his Life. He wished to be remembered as the author of the saying, "The itch of controversy is the scab (scabies) of the Churches," and caused it to be insculpt in his epitaph.

Wisdom & Quotes

  • An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.
- Reliqiae Wottonianae

Guy Fawkes

Page last modified on Sunday December 19, 2021 06:57:22 GMT-0000