Thomas Legge of Norwich, who was first elected Fellow of Trinity and then of Jesus College, was afterwards appointed by John Caius the nineteenth Master of this College in the year 1573, as may be seen in the Annals, p. 135. He was Doctor of Laws, 1574; one of the Masters of Chancery, Doctor of the Court of Arches, Commissary of the University, and twice Vice-Chancellor, in the years 1587 and 1592, and died on the 12th of July, 1607, in the 72nd year of his age, after he had successfully directed the college for thirty-four years and two weeks. A great amiability of manner was the most prominent feature in his character, by which he kept the fellows of the college attached to him with all love and respect; while his zeal in promoting literature and rewarding the endeavours of the young men who made it their pursuit rendered him admired as well as beloved.

Though in other respects of grave disposition and though always actively engaged in his forensic duties, he used to amuse himself when tired of business with seeing and composing plays, particularly tragedies: one of these that represented the cruel disposition of Richard the Third was once publicly acted in the hall of St. John's College, and was received with the greatest applause by the spectators, members of the University: another, the subject of which was the Fall of Jerusalem, he finished off at his leisure hours in order that he might make it a perfect performance, but when at length it was rendered complete in every part our expectations were disappointed by some thievish plagiarist.