Hugh Oldham was born around 1450 - probably in Oldham, Lancashire, United Kingdom, although some accounts claim he was born in Manchester. He died 25 June 1519. He was the brother of William Oldham, Abbot of Chester.

Oldham was educated in the household of Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, whose wife, Countess Margaret Beaufort, later became mother of King Henry VII. Oldham also studied at Exeter College, Oxford and at Queen's College, Cambridge.

He became chaplain to the influential Countess, and prospered as one of her protégés. Her influence played a part in his appointment as Bishop of Exeter in 1504, after Henry VII's accession to the throne.

Oldham retained a keen interested in education. He was a benefactor of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and founder of the Manchester Grammar School, (originally the Manchester Free Grammar School for Lancashire Boys) in 1515. The building now forms part of Chetham's School , where you will find a stone lintel over the entrance which still reads 'Manchester School' in Latin.

Hugh Oldham died in 1519 and his body lies in Exeter Cathedral, Devon. His chantry chapel is to be found in the south choir-aisle, decorated with the owls that appear in the Oldham family crest.