Jacobus Acontius

Jacob Acontius (Italian: Jacopo (or Giacomo) Aconcio), c. 1520 – c. 1566, was an Italian jurist, theologian, philosopher and engineer. He is now known for his contribution to the history of religious toleration.

He was traditionally thought to have been born at Trento, although it was probably Ossana.

He was one of the Italians, like Peter Martyr and Bernardino Ochino, who repudiated papal doctrine and ultimately found refuge in England. Like them, his revolt against Romanism took a more extreme form than Lutheranism, and after a temporary residence in Switzerland and at Strasbourg (between 1557 and 1558), he arrived in England soon after Elizabeth's accession (1559). He had studied law and theology, but his profession was that of an engineer, and in this capacity he found employment with the English government.

On his arrival in London he joined the Dutch Reformed Church in Austin Friars, but he was "infected with Anabaptistical and Arian opinions" and was excluded from the sacrament by Edmund Grindal, bishop of London. He was granted naturalization on 8 October 1561. He was for some time occupied with draining Plumstead marshes, for which object various acts of Parliament were passed at this time. In 1564 he was sent to report on the fortifications of Berwick and it appears that he was known in England for both work as an engineer and a religious reformer and advocate of tolerance during the early Reformation.

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