William Tyndale

Description: (Theologian)

William Tyndale was an English scholar and theologian who is most celebrated for his work of translating the Bible in English. A gifted linguist, his work was praised after his death and formed a vital part of later Bible translations. Born in England, Tyndale was educated at Oxford and Cambridge University where he became a strong supporter of church reform. He firmly believed that people should be able to read the Bible in their own language and was keen on translating it in English. He was ordained as a priest and became a chaplain but his controversial opinions began alarming the church authorities. Subsequently, Tyndale moved to London and later to Germany, with the intention of translating the New Testament into English, an act that was strictly banned. After his English New Testament was completed and printed, its copies were smuggled into England and denounced by the Roman Catholic authorities. Tyndale was accused of heresy and thereafter, he went into hiding for few years. Later, he moved to Belgium where he was arrested by the imperial authorities. He was convicted of heresy and sentenced to death by being strangled and burned at the stake. Within few years of his execution, King Henry VIII published the English ‘Great Bible’ based on Tyndale’s work. His phenomenal work formed the basis of all subsequent English translations of the Bible and profoundly affected the development of the English language

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Alternative names William Tindall, William Tynsdale, William Tindill, William Tyndall
Died on October 6, 1536
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Did you know

When and where was William Tyndale born? William Tyndale was born in 1494 in Gloucestershire, England.
What is William Tyndale known for? William Tyndale is known for translating the Bible into English and for his significant contribution to the Protestant Reformation.
What was the impact of William Tyndale's Bible translation? William Tyndale's Bible translation played a crucial role in making the Bible accessible to the common people in English, shaping the English language, and influencing future translations of the Bible.
How did William Tyndale die? William Tyndale was executed by strangulation and then burned at the stake in 1536 for heresy due to his translation work and religious beliefs.
What was the significance of William Tyndale's work on Bible translation? William Tyndale's work on Bible translation laid the foundation for future English translations of the Bible and contributed to the spread of Protestant ideas during the Reformation.
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