John Prideaux Lightfoot
Encyclopedia
John Prideaux Lightfoot, D.D.
(23 March 1803 – 23 March 1887) was an English
clergyman who served as the Rector of Exeter College, Oxford
from 18 March 1854 until his death and as a Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1862 to 1866. He was the President of the Oxford Architectural Society (later the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society
) from November 1854 to November 1855.
John Prideaux Lightfoot was born 23 March 1803 at Crediton
, Devon
, England
. He was the eldest son of Nicholas Lightfoot (1772–1847) and his wife Bridget Prideaux. Lightfoot married Elizabeth Ann Le Blanc on 15 July 1835; they had eight children. His first wife died 31 November 1860 at Oxford
, aged 50. He was married a second time on 7 January 1863 to Louisa, only daughter of Sir George Best Robinson, Bt., widow of Capt. C. R. G. Douglas, B.N.I. They had one daughter.
Lightfoot succeeded Joseph Loscombe Richards as Rector of Exeter, or head of the college, while Sir George Gilbert Scott
's proposal for a new chapel inspired by the Sainte Chapelle in Paris
was under consideration. The building programme during Lightfoot's tenure also included the Gothic revival library of 1856 and new Rector's lodgings in the Georgian
style (1857). In 1886, Lightfoot commissioned the Adoration of the Magi tapestry
from Edward Burne-Jones
and William Morris
, both alumni of Exeter, to be hung in the chapel. The completed tapestry was presented to the College in 1890, three years after Prideaux's death at the Rectory at Exeter on 23 March 1887.
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....
(23 March 1803 – 23 March 1887) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
clergyman who served as the Rector of Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
from 18 March 1854 until his death and as a Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1862 to 1866. He was the President of the Oxford Architectural Society (later the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society
Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society
The Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society has existed in one form or another since at least 1839, although with its current name only since 1972. Its annual publication Oxoniensia has been produced since 1936.-Overview:...
) from November 1854 to November 1855.
John Prideaux Lightfoot was born 23 March 1803 at Crediton
Crediton
Crediton is a town and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon in England. It stands on the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, about north west of Exeter. It has a population of 6,837...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was the eldest son of Nicholas Lightfoot (1772–1847) and his wife Bridget Prideaux. Lightfoot married Elizabeth Ann Le Blanc on 15 July 1835; they had eight children. His first wife died 31 November 1860 at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, aged 50. He was married a second time on 7 January 1863 to Louisa, only daughter of Sir George Best Robinson, Bt., widow of Capt. C. R. G. Douglas, B.N.I. They had one daughter.
Lightfoot succeeded Joseph Loscombe Richards as Rector of Exeter, or head of the college, while Sir George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott
Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
's proposal for a new chapel inspired by the Sainte Chapelle in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
was under consideration. The building programme during Lightfoot's tenure also included the Gothic revival library of 1856 and new Rector's lodgings in the Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
style (1857). In 1886, Lightfoot commissioned the Adoration of the Magi tapestry
Adoration of the Magi (tapestry)
The Adoration of the Magi is a Morris & Co. tapestry depicting the story in Christianity of the Three Kings who were guided to the birthplace of Jesus by the star of Bethlehem...
from Edward Burne-Jones
Edward Burne-Jones
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet was a British artist and designer closely associated with the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, who worked closely with William Morris on a wide range of decorative arts as a founding partner in Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, and Company...
and William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
, both alumni of Exeter, to be hung in the chapel. The completed tapestry was presented to the College in 1890, three years after Prideaux's death at the Rectory at Exeter on 23 March 1887.