William Chaderton (c.1540 – 11 April 1608) was an English academic and bishop. He also served as Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity. He was born in Moston, Lancashire, what is now a part of the city of Manchester. After attending The King's School, Chester and/or Manchester Grammar School, he went on to Cambridge, first entering Magdalene College, then moving to Pembroke College, where he matriculated in 1555. He graduated B.A. in 1557/8 (at Christ's College), M.A. 1561, B.D. 1566, D.D. 1569 (at Queens' College). He was a Fellow of Christ's College 1558–1568, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity 1567–1569, Regius Professor of Divinity 1569–1580, and President of Queens' College, Cambridge from 1568 to 1579. He was Rector of Holywell, Huntingdonshire in 1570. He was Bishop of Chester from 1579 to 1595. He was then Bishop of Lincoln from 1595 to 1608. He was also Warden of Manchester College, where he was succeeded by John Dee.

Family

Elizabeth Jocelin (née Brooke), author of The Mothers Legacie, To her Unborne Childe (1624), was his granddaughter. After his granddaughter's parents separated, and her mother returned home, Bishop Chaderton was mainly responsible for her upbringing. Elizabeth's childhood was therefore passed in the house of Bishop Chaderton, who educated her. She was extremely well versed in art, religion and language.