Robert Leighton, Archbishop or Glasgow

Robert Leighton (1611 – 25 June 1684) was a Scottish prelate and scholar, best known as a church minister, Bishop of Dunblane, Archbishop of Glasgow, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1653 to 1662. He was "noted for his Christian piety, his humility and gentleness, and his devotion to his calling".[1]

Robert Leighton was born in London to Scottish parents in 1611.[2] Robert Leighton's mother was Alexander Leighton's first wife. According to Gilbert Burnet, Leighton was distinguished for his "saintly disposition" from his earliest childhood,[3] even despite the persecution of his family. In 1627 (before his father published his pamphlet) at the age of sixteen, Robert Leighton went to study at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with an MA in 1631.

After leaving his position as archbishop in 1674, Leighton retired to the mansion of his widowed sister Sapphira (Mrs Edward Lightmaker), and her son, at Broadhurst near Horsted Keynes in Sussex.
Leighton died suddenly on 25 June 1684 during a trip to London, in an inn in the shadow of a partly finished St Paul's Cathedral. His final parting wish was that "At eventide there might be light".
Leighton was buried in Horsted Keynes. In his will, he bequeathed his collection of 1,400 volumes and a hundred pounds for the erection of the Leighton Library. He also gave instruction that all his personal papers and manuscripts be destroyed, though this never took place.
Following his death, a commentary of his on 1 Peter, was published in two volumes in 1693 and 1694, and has rarely been out of print ever since.

Family
Leighton never married, and so had no children.

Branch, Garland (1980). "The Leighton Connection". Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2007. < link >

Alexander Leighton had four sons and daughters: James, Robert, Elisha, Caleb, Elizabeth and Sapphira. Only Robert and Elisha and the daughter survived to maturity. He was twice married, his second wife being the daughter of Sir. William Musgrave of Cumberland.

References

• Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. London, England: Oxford University Press; Volume: Vol 11; Page: 881