Editing Thomas Digges (section)

==Life==
Thomas Digges, born about 1546, was the son of [[Leonard Digges (scientist)|Leonard Digges]] (c. 1515 – c. 1559), the mathematician and surveyor, and Bridget Wilford, the daughter of Thomas Wilford, esquire, of Hartridge in [[Cranbrook, Kent]], by his first wife, Elizabeth Culpeper, the daughter of Walter Culpeper, esquire. Digges had two brothers, James and Daniel, and three sisters, Mary, who married a man with the surname of  Barber; Anne, who married William Digges; and Sarah, whose first husband was surnamed Martin, and whose second husband was John Weston.<ref>{{Harvnb|Richardson_I|2011|p=81}}; {{Harvnb|Johnston|2004a}}.</ref>

After the death of his father, Digges grew up under the guardianship of [[John Dee (mathematician)|John Dee]],<ref>{{Harvnb|Johnston|2004b}}.</ref> a typical [[Renaissance]] [[natural philosopher]]. In 1583, [[William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley|Lord Burghley]] appointed Digges, with [[John Chamber (academic)|John Chamber]] and [[Henry Savile (Bible translator)|Henry Savile]], to sit on a commission to consider whether England should adopt the [[Gregorian calendar]], as proposed by Dee.<ref>{{Harvnb|Mosley|2004}}</ref>

Digges served as a member of parliament for [[Wallingford (UK Parliament constituency)|Wallingford]] and also had a military career as a Muster-Master General to the English forces from 1586 to 1594 during the war with the Spanish Netherlands. In his capacity of Master-Muster General he was instrumental in promoting improvements at the [[Port of Dover]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lane |first1=Anthony |title=Front Line Harbour: A History of the Port of Dover |date=2011 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |location=Stroud |isbn=9781445620084 }}</ref>

Digges died on 24 August 1595. His last will, in which he specifically excluded both his brother, James Digges, and William Digges, was proved on 1 September. Digges was buried in the chancel of the church of [[St Mary Aldermanbury]], London.<ref>{{Harvnb|Johnston|2004b}}.</ref>