WOODROFFE, BENJAMIN, son of Rev. Timothy Woodroffe, Rector of Kingsland, Herefs., and Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Sylvester, Burford, Oxfordshire; bapt. 29 Apr 1638; adm.; KS ; elected head to Christ Church, Oxford 1656, matr. 23 Jul 1656, Westminster Student, Tutor; BA 1659; MA 1662 (incorp. Cambridge 1664); BD and DD 14 Jan 1672/3; ordained; Chaplain to Duke of York at naval battle of Southwold Bay; Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, from 17 Dec 1672, Sub-Dean 1674; Rector of St. Bartholomew, Royal Exchange, London, from 19 Aug 1676; Prebendary of Lichfield from 21 Sep 1678; nominated Dean of Christ Church by James II 8 Dec 1688, but never installed; Principal of Gloucester Hall, Oxford, from 15 Aug 1692; founded a Greek college at Oxford 1697; fell into debt owing to losses through litigation; confined in the Fleet Prison 1708-9, and canonry sequestered; FRS 30 May 1668; author, Somnium Navale, 1673 (Latin poem on battle of Southwold Bay), and other works; lic. to m. 1st, 15 Nov 1676 Dorothy, sister of Sir Blewet Stonehouse, Bart.; m. 2nd, Mary, dau. of Thomas Marbury, Marbury, Cheshire; d. 14 Aug 1711. DNB.