Ferne was born in
York. He was educated at
Uppingham School to which he was sent by Sir Thomas Nevill of Holt who had married his mother. He was admitted to
St Mary Hall, Oxford, in 1618, and to
Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1620. He graduated B.A. in 1623 and was elected fellow in 1624. He became
Chaplain Extraordinary to
Charles I;
Master of
Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1660 to 1662;
Dean of Ely, about 1662;
Bishop of Chester, February 1662, and died in
Chester five weeks after his consecration, on 16 March. ==Works==