Robert Barron (minister)
Robert Barron (1596–1639) was a prominent 17th century figure in the Church of Scotland 13 elected Bishop of Orkney but dying before his consecration. He was the first Professor of Divinity at Marischal College.
Life
He was born in Kinnaird a younger son of John Barron of Kinnaird. He was educated at the University of St Andrews graduating MA in 1613 and being elected a regent (equivalent of Fellow) in Old College. [1]
In 1619 he was ordained as a Church of Scotland minister in the parish of Keith. In 1624 he translated to Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen and in December 1625 took on the additional role as Professor of Divinity at Marischal College (which physically adjoins the church). He was created a Doctor of Divinity by King's College, Aberdeen in 1627. Here he befriended William Forbes.[2]
In 1638 he openly and vocally opposed the National Covenant. This was, in part, caused by his hope to achieve the post of Bishop of Orkney which at that time lay a vacant post, and for which King Charles I had given Barron his crucial support. In March 1639 he met the King in London and obtained his backing. However, Britain was in a state of flux in the years before the English Civil War. He never returned to Aberdeen but lived his final months in Berwick-upon-Tweed, having fallen ill en-route, and he died there on 19 August 1639, prior to his agreed consecration as Bishop.[3] Due to other circumstances, Episcopacy in Scotland was suspended for several decades, so even had he continued north, it is uncertain as to whether he would have been consecrated.
After his death his wife was forced to pass government officials the key to his quarters at Marischal College and his rooms were ransacked in a manner as though he was to have been charged with Arminianism.[4]
Family
He was married to Jean Gibson (b.c. 1600) of Strathisla. They had four children including Jean Barron, who married Rev Alexander Strachan of Birse.[5]
Publications
- Philosophia Theologia Ancillans (Andreapoli 1621, Oxford 1641)
- Thesus Theologica (1630)
- On the Arrival of King Charles in Scotland (1633)
