Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dean, William

by Thompson Cooper

DEAN, WILLIAM (d. 1588), catholic divine, was educated in the English college at Rheims, and after ordination was sent on the mission in 1582. He was apprehended before 1585, being one of the priests who were banished at the beginning of that year. Returning to his missionary labours he fell again into the hands of his adversaries, and was tried and condemned on 22 Aug. 1588 for being made priest by Roman authority and remaining in this realm contrary to the statute of 27 Eliz. On the 28th he was drawn to Mile-end Green and there executed, together with Henry Webley, a layman, who had been convicted for aiding him.

[Challoner's Missionary Priests (1741), i. 209; Douay Diaries; Gillow's Bibl. Dict.; Morris's Troubles of our Catholic Forefathers, ii. 72, 156, 157; Stow's Annales (1615), p. 749; Notes and Queries, 6th ser. v. 163.]

T. C.