Bois was born in
Nettlestead, Suffolk, England, His father was William Bois, a graduate of
Michaelhouse, Cambridge and a Protestant converted by
Martin Bucer, who was vicar of
Elmsett and
West Stow; his mother was Mirable Poolye. His father took great care about his education, and already at the age of five years John could read the Bible in
Hebrew. He was sent to school at
Hadleigh, then went to
St John's College, Cambridge, in 1575 when he was 15 years old. He was taught by
Henry Copinger, and soon was proficient in
Greek. He intended medicine as a profession, but its study brought on hypochondria. Serious financial troubles followed, and he had to sell his library; his scholarly reputation brought him tasks, but they were poorly rewarded. In 1609 he succeeded
John Duport as
prebendary of Ely while also serving as rector of
Boxworth. He spent the last years of his life there. He was eighty-three when he died in
Ely. He had four sons and three daughters, none of whom survived their father. His wife died two years before him. ==Works==