york00orns

DISIIOP FISHER. 227
he vindicated ; and the young scholars wlio sang
their matin and vesper hymns before the sculptured
representation of their Saviour's form would assuredly
be told,—
Effigiem Christi dum transis pronus houora,
At non effigiem sed Quern dehignat adora.
Education began to be carried out under better
auspices at the universities also. Colct had commenced
this at Oxford. A similar impulse was given
at Cambridge. Fisher, Bishop of Rochester and
chancellor of that university, invited Erasmus thither,
who, through his influence, was promoted to the
Margaret Professorship of Divinity in 15 11, and subsequently
to the Greek professor's chair.
Fisher's name is connected with the diocese of
York. He was born at Beverley, and in his earlier
life was vicar of Northallerton. Erasmus gives him a
noble character, describing him as "rv'y oiiiuiiiin epis-
cii/iiiilatissiiinis." ^ He was concopaliiiiii
'I'irtiituin
fessor to the king's grandmother, the Countess of
Richmond, and it was believed that it was through
his influence with her that the advancement of
learning was promoted at Cambridge by the foundation
of the two colleges of Christ's and St. John's,
and of divinity professorships in both universities.
In recognition of these services in the cause of
learning he was chosen Chancellor of the university
of Cambridge.
Other names occur in connection with York of
Erasnii Kpist. ad Card. Giimaiil, iiiid cnl. Apr. 1513.