Whitgift, John (c. 1530–1604)

English prelate, archbishop of Canterbury 1583–1604. He founded his almshouses in 1569 and the Whitgift School in 1599 in Croydon.

Although doctrinally a Calvinist, he strongly defended the liturgy and discipline of the Church of England against the Puritans, notably in a lengthy controversy with the leader of the early Puritans, Thomas Cartwright, and in his administrative capacity as archbishop. In his primacy, the High Commission court was permanently established.

Born in Grimsby, England, Whitgift was educated at St Anthony's College, London, and at Cambridge. He became a fellow of Peterhouse in 1555, and was Lady Margaret professor of divinity at Cambridge 1563–67, master of Pembroke Hall and of Trinity College, Cambridge, during 1567–77, dean of Lincoln in 1571, and bishop of Worcester in 1577.