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.
Clayton married the daughter of Bartholomew Warner in about 1610, and they had the following children:
- Thomas (born c.1612)
- James (listed by Anthony Wood)
- Elizabeth (baptised on 14 March 1614/15 at the Church of St Mary the Virgin). She married John Milbourne of Alleston, Glos.
- William (baptised on 10 August 1619 at the Church of St Mary the Virgin). He matriculated from Pembroke College (where his father was currently Master) on 10 October 1634, aged 15, and 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
- Susanna (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.
From 1642 Sir Edward Nicholas lodged with Clayton, and his second son Edward married Clayton's daughter.
Clayton died on 10 July 1647 and was buried in St Aldate's Church three days later. Wood (1:132) wrote:
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.
Clayton was succeeded as Regius Professor of Medicine by his son of the same name.