Allen, William

Allen, William (1532-94). Founding principal of Douai College (1568-85) and cardinal (1587). A Lancashireman, educated at Oriel College, Oxford, he became principal of St Mary's Hall (1556-60), then joined catholic exiles at Louvain (1561). Briefly in England (1562-5), he was ordained at Mechlin, visited Rome, and founded the college at Douai (1568) to give English catholics university education and train missionary priests for reconverting England. He retired to Rome (1585) in poor health, became cardinal-priest, and died there.