John Mason

Who was John Mason?

Sir John Mason was an English diplomat and spy.

Mason was born in Abingdon in Berkshire. He was educated at the school at the abbey in his native town, where his uncle was abbot. Later, he went to All Souls College, Oxford and was ordained a priest. He became Chancellor of Oxford University for the periods 1552-1556 and 1559-1564.

He worked for several Tudor monarchs collecting information from the Continent and as a diplomat. He was knighted by Edward VI and made Dean of Winchester.

John Mason School, a secondary school in Abingdon, is named after him.