Thomas Brinknell was educated at Lincoln College and on January 7, 1510/1511 Brinknell was collated to a prebend in Lincoln Cathedral,  while in 1521 he was nominated professor of divinity on Cardinal Wolsey's new foundation.
Brinknell was educated at Lincoln College, Oxford and was appointed head-master of the school attached to Magdalen College, where he 'exercised an admirable way of teaching.' On 7 January 1510/1511 he was collated to a prebend in Lincoln Cathedral, and on the same date was made master of the hospital of St. John at Banbury. In 1521 he was nominated professor of divinity on Cardinal Wolsey's new foundation. 
