 He was educated at Swansea Grammar School, Westminster School from 1694 (where he became school captain), and Trinity College, Cambridge which he entered in 1700.Without graduating, he became tutor in the family of Sir Robert Southwell; who died in 1702, leaving the family headed by Edward Southwell his son, who was Secretary of State for Ireland from 27 June 1702.In 1710 Wogan went to Ireland, as clerk to Edward Southwell who was acting as secretary to James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.