Joshua Bassett was the son of John Bassett, a merchant from Lynn, Norfolk. In 1657 he was admitted to Caius College, Cambridge, aged 16; he gained his MA in 1665 and became a fellow of Caius. He was ordained deacon in 1663 and priest in 1666. James II saw him installed as Master of Sidney Sussex College in 1686: he declared himself a Catholic convert and controversially altered various aspects of college regulations and routine before being removed as Master in 1686. He is said to have died in great poverty.
