Isaac Barrow (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Isaac Barrow was an English clergyman and Bishop, consecutively, of Sodor and Man
and St Asaph
, and also served as Governor of the Isle of Man
. He is sometimes confused with his more famous namesake and nephew, Isaac Barrow
(1630–1677), the mathematician and theologian.
, Wickham
, Cambridgeshire
, a landowner and justice of the peace
for over forty years. In July 1629 he was admitted to Peterhouse, Cambridge
, of which he became a fellow in 1635. In 1641 he was appointed rector of Hinton
, a college living, but was expelled by the Presbyterians
in 1643. Thereafter, he served as a chaplain at New College, Oxford
, until the surrender of Oxford
to the Parliamentary
army in 1646.
(and by now a Doctor of Divinity
), Barrow received back his fellowship at Peterhouse and was appointed a Fellow of Eton College
on 12 July 1660. In 1660 he was also presented to the rectory of Downham
, in the diocese of Ely
.
. His nephew
preached the consecration sermon. In April 1664, the Earl of Derby
also appointed him Governor of the Isle of Man
. During his brief residence there he acquired a liberal and reforming reputation, establishing schools and improving the livings of the impoverished clergy. By virtue of his establishment in 1668 of the Bishop Barrow Trust
, he is generally regarded as the founder of King William's College
(where his arms are displayed on the badge), although the school did not open until 1833.
, Lancashire
, a house belonging to the Stanley
family. On 21 March 1669, he was translated to the bishopric
of St Asaph
, but he was permitted to hold the see
of Sodor and Man in commendam
until October 1671, in order to defray the expenses of his translation. At St Asaph, he again displayed energy and zeal, carrying out substantial repairs to the cathedral church and the episcopal palace, as well as building in 1673 an alms-house for eight poor widows. He died at Shrewsbury
in 1680 before his plans for a free-school at St Asaph came to fruition, but his successor received two hundred pounds from his executors to that end.
Barrow did not marry. He is buried in the Cathedral churchyard at St. Asaph, where his tomb stone was the cause of some theological controversy. It invited those entering the church to pray for his soul - a Catholic
practice not generally promoted in the Church of England
.
Diocese of Sodor and Man
Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. Originally much larger, today it covers just the Isle of Man and its adjacent islets.-Early history:...
and St Asaph
Diocese of St Asaph
The Diocese of Saint Asaph is a diocese in north-east Wales, named after Saint Asaph, its second bishop.-Geography:The Anglican Diocese of St Asaph in the north-east corner of Wales stretches from the borders of Chester in the east, to the Conwy valley in the west, to Bala in the south-west, and...
, and also served as Governor of the Isle of Man
Governor of the Isle of Man
The following were Governors of the Isle of Man:*Sir Thomas Gerrard *Peter Legh *John Ireland*John Greenhalgh *William Christian *Isaac Barrow *Nicholas Stanley *Charles Zedenno Stanley...
. He is sometimes confused with his more famous namesake and nephew, Isaac Barrow
Isaac Barrow
Isaac Barrow was an English Christian theologian, and mathematician who is generally given credit for his early role in the development of infinitesimal calculus; in particular, for the discovery of the fundamental theorem of calculus. His work centered on the properties of the tangent; Barrow was...
(1630–1677), the mathematician and theologian.
Origins and early career
Barrow was the son of Isaac Barrow of Spinney AbbeySpinney Abbey
Spinney Abbey, once known as Spinney Priory, is a house and farm on the site of a former monastic foundation close to the village of Wicken, on the edge of the fens in Cambridgeshire, England.- Monastic origins :...
, Wickham
Wickham
Wickham, formerly spelled Wykeham, is a small historic village and civil parish in Hampshire, southern England, located about three miles north of Fareham. It is within the City of Winchester local government district, although it is considerably closer to Fareham than to Winchester...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
, a landowner and justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for over forty years. In July 1629 he was admitted to Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...
, of which he became a fellow in 1635. In 1641 he was appointed rector of Hinton
Cherry Hinton
Cherry Hinton is a suburban area of the city of Cambridge, in Cambridgeshire, England. It is around southeast of Cambridge city centre.-History:...
, a college living, but was expelled by the Presbyterians
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
in 1643. Thereafter, he served as a chaplain at New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, until the surrender of Oxford
Siege of Oxford
The Siege of Oxford was a Parliamentarian victory late in the First English Civil War. Whereas the title of the event may suggest a single siege, there were in fact three individual engagements that took place over a period of three years....
to the Parliamentary
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England. In 1066, William of Normandy introduced a feudal system, by which he sought the advice of a council of tenants-in-chief and ecclesiastics before making laws...
army in 1646.
Ecclesiastical advancement
Following the RestorationEnglish Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
(and by now a Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
), Barrow received back his fellowship at Peterhouse and was appointed a Fellow of Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
on 12 July 1660. In 1660 he was also presented to the rectory of Downham
Little Downham
Situated in the east of Cambridgeshire, the village of Little Downham is located just north of the city of Ely. The Parish of Little Downham comprises Little Downham and Pymoor...
, in the diocese of Ely
Diocese of Ely
The Diocese of Ely is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Ely, who sits at Ely Cathedral in Ely. There is one suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. The diocese now covers Cambridgeshire and western Norfolk...
.
Bishop and Governor of Man
In July 1663, having resigned his fellowship of Peterhouse in the previous year, he was consecrated bishop of Sodor and ManDiocese of Sodor and Man
Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. Originally much larger, today it covers just the Isle of Man and its adjacent islets.-Early history:...
. His nephew
Isaac Barrow
Isaac Barrow was an English Christian theologian, and mathematician who is generally given credit for his early role in the development of infinitesimal calculus; in particular, for the discovery of the fundamental theorem of calculus. His work centered on the properties of the tangent; Barrow was...
preached the consecration sermon. In April 1664, the Earl of Derby
Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby
Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby , an English nobleman, was the only son of James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby and Charlotte de La Trémouille....
also appointed him Governor of the Isle of Man
Governor of the Isle of Man
The following were Governors of the Isle of Man:*Sir Thomas Gerrard *Peter Legh *John Ireland*John Greenhalgh *William Christian *Isaac Barrow *Nicholas Stanley *Charles Zedenno Stanley...
. During his brief residence there he acquired a liberal and reforming reputation, establishing schools and improving the livings of the impoverished clergy. By virtue of his establishment in 1668 of the Bishop Barrow Trust
Bishop Barrow Trust
The Bishop Barrow Trust was founded in 1668 by Dr. Isaac Barrow, Bishop of Sodor & Mann . Barrow founded the trust with the idea of building a university on the Isle of Man. He was shocked at the state of knowledge of the Manx clergy and decided that the best way to eradicate their ignorance was...
, he is generally regarded as the founder of King William's College
King William's College
King William's College is a leading world International Baccalaureate HMC independent school for ages 3 to 18, situated near Castletown on the Isle of Man...
(where his arms are displayed on the badge), although the school did not open until 1833.
Bishop of St Asaph
Returning to England for the sake of his health, Barrow lived at Cross-Hall, in LathomLathom
Lathom is a village and civil parish in Lancashire, England, about 5 km northeast of Ormskirk. It is in the district of West Lancashire, and with the parish of Newburgh forms part of Newburgh ward...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, a house belonging to the Stanley
Earl of Derby
Earl of Derby is a title in the Peerage of England. The title was first adopted by Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby under a creation of 1139. It continued with the Ferrers family until the 6th Earl forfeited his property toward the end of the reign of Henry III and died in 1279...
family. On 21 March 1669, he was translated to the bishopric
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of St Asaph
Diocese of St Asaph
The Diocese of Saint Asaph is a diocese in north-east Wales, named after Saint Asaph, its second bishop.-Geography:The Anglican Diocese of St Asaph in the north-east corner of Wales stretches from the borders of Chester in the east, to the Conwy valley in the west, to Bala in the south-west, and...
, but he was permitted to hold the see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of Sodor and Man in commendam
In Commendam
In canon law, commendam was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice in trust to the custody of a patron...
until October 1671, in order to defray the expenses of his translation. At St Asaph, he again displayed energy and zeal, carrying out substantial repairs to the cathedral church and the episcopal palace, as well as building in 1673 an alms-house for eight poor widows. He died at Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
in 1680 before his plans for a free-school at St Asaph came to fruition, but his successor received two hundred pounds from his executors to that end.
Barrow did not marry. He is buried in the Cathedral churchyard at St. Asaph, where his tomb stone was the cause of some theological controversy. It invited those entering the church to pray for his soul - a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
practice not generally promoted in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.