Thomas Clayton senior (1575–1647)
Thomas Clayton senior was born in 1575 and originated from London.
He was matriculated at the University of Oxford from Balliol College on 15 October 1591 at the age of 16. He obtained his BA on 17 October 1594 and his MA from Gloucester Hall on 31 March 1599.
In about 1610 Thomas Clayton senior married Alice Warner, the daughter of Bartholomew Warner, then himself Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford. They had the following children:
- Thomas Clayton junior (born c.1612)
- James Clayton (listed by Anthony Wood)
- Elizabeth Clayton (baptised on 14 March 1614/15 at St Mary-the-Virgin Church).
She married John Milbourne of Alleston, Glos. - William Clayton (baptised on 10 August 1619 at St Mary-the-Virgin Church)
- Susanna Clayton (baptised on 9 November 1623 at St Aldate’s Church)
Clayton supplicated for a licence to practice medicine on 27 March 1610, and obtained his B.Med. and D.Med. on 20 June 1611.
In 1612, Clayton succeeded his father-in-law as Regius Professor of Medicine, and remained in this position until his death. He was also the first Tomlins lecturer in anatomy, and taught concern for the patient’s soul as well as body. In 1622 he jointly inaugurated the physic garden at Oxford.
At the same time as holding the Regius Professorship, Clayton was Principal of Broadgates Hall from 1620 to 1624, and Master of Pembroke College from 1624 until his death.
His son William was matriculated at the University of Oxford from Pembroke College (where his father was currently Master) on 10 October 1634 at the age of 15. He gained his BA from Corpus Christi College on 17 December 1638 and his MA on 5 March 1641/2. He was created B.Med. on 1 November 1642
From 1642 Sir Edward Nicholas lodged with Thomas Clayton, and his second son Edward Nicholas married Clayton’s daughter.
According to the parish register his daughter Mrs Clapton [an error for Clayton?] was buried on 16 January 1643/4 at St Aldate's Church.
Thomas Clayton senior died on 10 July 1647 and was buried inside St Aldate’s Church three days later. Anthony Wood wrote in his diary (Life and Times, I:32):
Thomas Clayton, Dr of Physick, the king’s professor of Physick and head or master of Pembroke Coll., died in his house in S. Aldate’s parish, about 12 at night on S., the 10 of July 1647 and was buried in the chancell of S. Aldate’s church. He married … daughter of Bartholomew Warner, Dr of Physick and the King’s Professor of Physick in the University; by whome he had issue, Thomas (who succeeded his father in the professorship and is now warden of Merton College and a knight), and James, also a daughter named Elizabeth (who was married to one John Milbourne of Alleston in com. Gloucester, gent. He had also another son named William, borne in S. Marie’s parish Oxon. Aug 1619.
Thomas Clayton was succeeded as Regius Professor of Medicine by his son of the same name.