Robert Howard, D.D. (October 1670 – 3 April 1740) was an Anglican prelate who served in the

Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland ( ga, Eaglais na hÉireann, ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Kirk o Airlann, ) is a Christian church in Ireland and an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the secon ...

as the Bishop of Killala and Achonry (1727–1730) and

Bishop of Elphin The Bishop of Elphin (; ) is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Elphin, County Roscommon, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other ...

(1730–1740). Born in October 1670, he was the son of Ralph Howard, M.D., ''The Province of Leinster'', p. 53. In 1703, Robert Howard became a

fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

of Trinity College, Dublin., ''The Province of Connaught'', p. 75. He was appointed

Vicar A vicar (; Latin: '' vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English pre ...

of St. Ann's Church, Dublin in November 1717, then Curate of St. Bride's Church, Dublin. He was then appointed a

Prebendary A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of th ...

of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin in 1712, and

Dean of Ardagh The Dean of Elphin and Ardagh is based in St John the Baptist Cathedral, Sligo in the Diocese of Elphin and Ardagh within the united bishopric of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh of the Church of Ireland. The dioceses of Elphin and Ardagh were merged ...

in 1722,

Precentor A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is ''præcentor'', from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" (or alternatively, "first ...

Christ Church, Dublin Christ Church Cathedral, more formally The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the ( ...

in March 1723, and Chancellor of St. Patrick's, Dublin and Vicar of

Finglas Finglas (; ) is a northwestern outer suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It lies close to Junction 5 of the M50 motorway, and the N2 road. Nearby suburbs include Glasnevin and Ballymun; Dublin Airport is to the north. Finglas lies mainly in the posta ...

in April 1723. He was nominated Bishop of Killala and Achonry on 14 January 1727 and consecrated on 19 March 1727., ''A New History of Ireland'', volume IX, p. 393. Three years later, he was appointed

by letters patent on 13 January 1730., ''The Province of Connaught'', p. 129., ''Handbook of British Chronology'', p. 392., ''A New History of Ireland'', volume IX, p. 436. He married Patience Boleyn, only daughter of Godfrey Boleyn of Fennor,

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the ...

, and Mary Singleton, sister of Henry Singleton, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas. They had seven children. The Boleyn family of Meath were distant cousins of Queen

Anne Boleyn Anne Boleyn (; 1501 or 1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536, as the second wife of King Henry VIII. The circumstances of her marriage and of her execution by beheading for treason and other charges made her a key ...

. He was lineal ancestor of the Earls of Wicklow, his son

Ralph Ralph (pronounced ; or ,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English ''Rædwulf'' and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse ''Raðulfr'' (''rað'' "counsel" and ''ulfr'' "wolf"). The most common forms ...

having been created Baron Clonmore in 1776 and Viscount Wicklow in 1785. Bishop Howard died in office on 3 April 1740, aged 69, and was buried in St. Bride's Church, Dublin.

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References

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Howard, Robert 1670 births 1740 deaths 18th-century Anglican bishops in Ireland Anglican bishops of Elphin Bishops of Killala and Achonry Deans of Ardagh

Robert The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...