John Howson (c. 1557 – 6 February 1632) was an English academic and bishop.


John Howson
Bishop of Durham
DioceseDiocese of Durham
In office1628–1632
PredecessorGeorge Montaigne
SuccessorThomas Morton
Other post(s)Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1602)[1]
Bishop of Oxford (1619–1628)
Lord Lieutenant of Durham (1628–1632)
Personal details
Bornc. 1557
Farringdon Without, London, England
Died(1632-02-06)6 February 1632
BuriedSt Paul's Cathedral[1]
NationalityEnglish
DenominationAnglican
SpouseJane Floyd (married 10 August 1601 at Black Bourton)[1]
Childrenat least one, Anne Farnaby
EducationSt Paul's School, London
Alma materChrist Church, Oxford
Ordination history of
John Howson
History
Episcopal consecration
Date9 May 1619
Source(s):[1]
John Howson, engraving by Martin Droeshout

Life edit

He was born in the London parish of St Bride's Church, and educated at St Paul's School.[1]

He was a student and then a canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and Vice-Chancellor in 1602. James I of England appointed him to Chelsea College.[2] He became rector of Brightwell Baldwin in 1608.[3]

Conflicts in Oxford with Calvinist clergy led to his being accused in 1615 before the King of popery, by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was able to convince the King that the charges were misplaced, and began to rise in the hierarchy, where he was an influence on the Arminian side.[4] He was Bishop of Oxford from 1619, and Bishop of Durham from his translation there in September 1628.

He was buried in Old St Paul's Cathedral in London, but the grave and monument were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. His name appears on a modern monument in the crypt, listing important graves lost in the fire.

Works edit

  • Remarriage Be Not Permitted After Adultery (1602)[5]
  • Certain sermons made in Oxford, anno Dom, 1616 (1622)

Family edit

His daughter Anne married Thomas Farnaby.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Howson, John (1557?-1632)" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  2. ^ Anthony Milton, Catholic and Reformed: The Roman and Protestant Churches in English Protestant Thought, 1600-1640 (2002), p. 57.
  3. ^ "Parish church". www.ontaworld.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 May 2001.
  4. ^ Kenneth Fincham, Nicholas Tyacke, Altars Restored: The Changing Face of English Religious Worship, 1547-c.1700 (2007), p. 125.
  5. ^ "John Howson, Uxore Dimissa Propter Fornicatione Aliam Non Licet Superinducere (1602) | Anglican.net". Retrieved 13 April 2022.
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Oxford
1619–1628
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Durham
1628–1632
Succeeded by
Political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Richard Neile
Lord Lieutenant of Durham
1628–1632
Succeeded by