David Yale

David Yale (c. 1540–1626) was the Chancellor of Chester, England and a correspondent of Elizabeth Tudor's chief minister, Lord William Cecil of Burghley House. He was also the Vicar General of his in-law, Bishop George Lloyd of Chester. His son, merchant Thomas Yale, became the patriarch of the Yale family of America, and the grandfather of governor Elihu Yale, benefactor of Yale University. Biography David Yale was born about 1540 to John Wynn (Yale), heir of Plâs yn Iâl, and was almost certainly an illegitimate son. His great-grandfather was Baron Ellis ap Griffith, founder of the House of Yale, and grandphew of Owain Glyndwr, last Welsh Prince of Wales. David's brother was Thomas Yale, who married Elizabeth Mostyn, family of the Mostyn baronets, and his sister was Jane Yale, members of the Yale family. David was the nephew of Chancellor Thomas Yale and he followed his uncle to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1555. He became a Fellow of the university from 1565 to 1581. On graduating B.A. he was presented to the rectory of Llandegla from 1564 to 1573, and in 1578, he succeeded to his uncle's prebend at St. Asaph Cathedral, taking the degree of Doctor of Law in the following year. He also held a master's degree from Cambridge University.