Son of Alexander Metcalfe of
Beverley, Yorkshire, he was educated at
Beverley Grammar School and
St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. in 1606. On 10 April 1606 he was admitted a fellow of
St. John's College, Cambridge, and in 1616 he was elected a preacher there. He was vicar of
Burwell, Cambridgeshire, in 1618 and was made
Doctor of Divinity in 1630. Some time prior to 1645 he succeeded
Andrew Byng of St. John's College as Regius Professor of Hebrew, but at what date is not known. In 1648 he vacated the chair, and was succeeded by
Ralph Cudworth; his retirement was connected with his election to a fellowship at
Trinity College in the same year, where he was also appointed catechiser and vice-master of the society in October. On 14 August 1646 he was appointed lecturer in Hebrew. By the contemporary report of
James Duport he was a scholarly recluse.
Nicholas Hookes composed elegies to his memory, referring to his high status in Trinity and his generosity. He was a benefactor in particular of Beverley Grammar School. ==Notes==