John Wycliffe
Date of birth: 1329 — Date of death: 1384
Philosopher. John Wycliffe studied theology at Oxford and was appointed as the warden of Canterbury College in 1365. His controversial views on religion - in particular, his anti-clerical stance - made him an important figure in John of Gaunt's (1340-1399) campaign against the church. Wycliffe served as Gaunt's clerical advisor from 1376-1378. He is believed to have contributed to the first English translation of the bible, reflected in the term 'Wycliffite Bible'.