Creighton, Robert, Bishop of Bath & Wells (1593 -1672)

Robert Creighton was born in Dunkeld, Perthshire, the son of Thomas Creighton and Margaret Stuart. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College Cambridge, receiving his M.A. in 1621. In 1625 he was made Regius Professor of Greek, and on 27 February 1627 succeeded his friend, George Herbert, as Public Orator of the university. In 1631 he was installed prebendary in the cathedral of Lincoln, and the following year he was made canon residentiary of Wells. Some time after 1639, while still a fellow of Trinity, he married Frances, daughter of William Walrond, who survived until 30 October 1683. By her he had a son Robert Creighton, who also became a court preacher At the outbreak of the Civil War Creighton moved to Oxford where he became the king's chaplain, later holding the same office under Charles II. On the fall of Oxford he escaped into Cornwall in disguise and embarked for the Continent, where he was a member of the court of Charles II in exile. During his exile the king appointed him Dean of Wells. Creighton helped restore the cathedral from the dilapidated state into which it had fallen, and in 1670 he was elected Bishop of Bath and Wells. He died on 21 November 1672, and was buried in St. John's Chapel in Wells Cathedral.