James Duckett
politician
Who they were
James Duckett, of an old Westmorland family, was a London bookseller converted while an apprentice by a Catholic book. Twice imprisoned before he was even received into the Church, he spent nine of his twelve married years in prison for spreading Catholic books.
Betrayed by a bookbinder seeking his own release, he was condemned and executed at Tyburn in April 1601. On the way he drank to his betrayer and asked his wife to forgive him freely.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
A bookseller who died for the Faith and forgave his betrayer.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- John Duckett Blessed“John Duckett, probably grandson of the martyr James Duckett, was ordained in 1639 and studied in Paris.” — this site's research
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - James Duckett
- Wikidata Q6132868 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — James Duckett (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.