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Francis GodwinAn English priest, he was a bishop.
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Francis Godwin, an English clergyman and bishop, was born in Hannington, Northamptonshire, England, to Thomas Godwin, who later became Bishop of Bath and Wells. Francis began his studies at Christ Church College, Oxford, in 1578, earning his Bachelor's degree in 1580 and his Master's in 1583. During his time at Oxford, he was exposed to the teachings of Giordano Bruno and became an early advocate of the Copernican theory.
Career in the Church
In 1587, Godwin became Sub-Dean of Exeter. In 1590, he accompanied the renowned historian and antiquary William Camden on his tour of Wales. Godwin earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1593 and his Doctorate of Divinity in 1595. In 1601, his publication "Catalogue of the Bishops of England since the first planting of the Christian Religion in this Island" earned him the appointment as Bishop of Llandaff in the same year. The second edition of this work was released in 1615, and in 1616, Godwin also published a Latin translation of his work dedicated to King James I, who appointed him Bishop of Hereford the following year. Godwin's work was later reprinted with additions by William Richardson in 1743.
Legacy
Francis Godwin passed away in April 1633 in Whitbourne, Herefordshire. His contributions to ecclesiastical history and his early embrace of scientific ideas left a lasting impact on English scholarship.
