John Conybeare (31 January 1692 – 13 July 1755) was Bishop of Bristol and one of the most notable theologians of the 18th century.


John Conybeare

Bishop of Bristol
DioceseDiocese of Bristol
In office1750–1755
PredecessorJoseph Butler
SuccessorJohn Hume
Personal details
Born(1692-01-31)31 January 1692
Died13 July 1755(1755-07-13) (aged 63)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
Alma materExeter College, Oxford

Conybeare was born at Pinhoe, where his father was vicar, and educated at Exeter Free School, Blundell's School and Exeter College, Oxford. He was elected a Probationary Fellow of Exeter College in 1710, took his B.A. degree in 1713 and was appointed a year later as Praelector in Philosophy.[1]

On 27 May 1716 Conybeare was ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Winchester, Sir Jonathan Trelawney and took a curacy in Surrey.[1] He returned to Oxford a year later and became a well known preacher.

His subsequent appointments included:

Conybeare was known for the publication of his book Calumny Refuted, an answer to the personal slander of Dr. Richard Newton.

Conybeare was the father of Dr William Conybeare, the well known rector of Bishopsgate, and grandfather to the Anglo-Saxon translator and poet John Josias Conybeare and the geologist William Conybeare. He is buried in Bristol Cathedral.

Bibliography edit

  • A Defence of Revealed Religion Against the Exceptions of a Late Writer in His ntituled Christianity As Old As Creation, against Matthew Tindal, 1732
  • Calumny Refuted: Or, An Answer To The Personal Slanders Published By Dr. Richard Newton, Published for J.J. and P. Knapton [etc.] (London), against Richard Newton, principal of Hart Hall, Oxford, 1735[2]
Academic offices
Preceded by Rector of Exeter College, Oxford
1730–1733
Succeeded by
Preceded by Dean of Christ Church, Oxford
1733–1755
Succeeded by
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Bristol
1750–1755
Succeeded by

References edit

  1. ^ a b Banks, M. L. (1904). "Blundell's Worthies". Chatto & Windus. p. 51. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b Stephen, Leslie (1885). "Conybeare, John (1692-1755)". wikisource. Smith, Elder & Co. Retrieved 11 May 2019.