John Mason (diplomat)

John Mason
Born	c. 1503 Abingdon, Berkshire, England
Died	20 April 1566 London, England
Nationality	British
Other names	Sir John Mason
Occupation	Diplomat, spy, MP
Known for	Chancellor of the University of Oxford

Sir John Mason (1503 – 20 April 1566) was an English diplomat and spy.

Mason was born in Abingdon in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). He was educated at the school at the abbey in his native town, where his uncle was abbot. Later, he went to All Souls College, Oxford and was ordained a priest. He became Chancellor of Oxford University for the periods 1552-1556 and 1559-1564.

He was Member of parliament for Reading (UK Parliament constituency) in 1547, and for Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency) on four occasions between 1554 and 1563.

He worked for several Tudor monarchs collecting information from the Continent and as a diplomat. He was knighted by Edward VI and made Dean of Winchester.

John Mason School, a secondary school in Abingdon, is named after him.

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Academic offices
Preceded by Richard Cox	Chancellor of the University of Oxford 1552–1556	Succeeded by Reginald Pole
Preceded by Earl of Arundel	Chancellor of the University of Oxford 1559–1564	Succeeded by Earl of Leicester
Parliament of England
Preceded by William Grey John Marshe	Member of Parliament for Reading 1547 With: John Marshe	Succeeded by John Bourne John Winchcombe
Preceded by Sir Thomas White Nicholas Tichborne	Member of Parliament for Hampshire 1554 (Apr) With: Sir Thomas White	Succeeded by Sir Thomas White John Norton
Preceded by Sir Thomas White John Norton	Member of Parliament for Hampshire 1558–1566 With: Sir Thomas White (1558–1562) William Uvedale (1562–1566)	Succeeded by Sir John Berkeley William Uvedale