John Lowe (1553-1586) was an English Catholic priest and martyr. He was born the son of Simon and Margaret Lowe or Low of London in 1553. His father Simon was perhaps the Simon Low who was a merchant-taylor and citizen of London. The sources say mysteriously that John had been educated at Douai "many years ago". He was a servant at Anchin Abbey 1578-1579. He entered the English College, Rome, arriving on November 19, 1581 and was ordained deacon in Rome on August 19 1582, but there is no record of where and when he was ordained a priest. Leaving Rome in September 1583, he was at Rheims and then set out for the mission in England on December 20, 1583. Records show that his absence abroad had been noted by the English government.