Cheke, John (1514-1557)

English classical scholar. The first regius professor of Greek at Cambridge 1540-51, he encouraged the spread of classical humanism and was largely responsible for introducing the Erasmian pronunciation of Greek.

Having adopted Protestantism, Cheke was appointed tutor to Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1544; sat as member of Parliament for Bletchingley in 1547 and 1553; and was appointed provost of King's College in 1548. He was ordained a cleric before 1549. In a dispute over the throne, Cheke supported Lady Jane Grey, and was imprisoned by Queen Mary 1553-54. He then retired to Basel, Switzerland, travelled in Italy, and taught Greek for a living in Strasbourg. Arrested by order of Philip II of Spain while returning from a visit to Brussels in 1556, he was sent to London, imprisoned in the Tower, and compelled by threat of torture to abjure Protestantism.