Robert Harris (minister) facts for kids

Robert Harris (1581–1658) was an important English church leader. He was known as a Puritan preacher, which meant he followed a strict form of Protestantism. He was also a member of the Westminster Assembly, a group of religious leaders who helped shape the church in England. Later, he became the President of Trinity College, Oxford, a famous university college.

Early Life and Education

Robert Harris was born in 1581 in Broad Campden, Gloucestershire. His father, John Harris, was a yeoman, which means he was a farmer who owned his own land. Robert came from a large family.

He went to school at Chipping Campden School and the King's School, Worcester. When he was 15, in 1597, he started studying at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. To help pay for his own studies in philosophy, he taught Greek and Hebrew to others. He earned his first degree (Bachelor of Arts, or B.A.) in 1600. Even though he first planned to study law, he decided to become a church minister instead.

Family and Career Beginnings

In 1604, the university closed because of the Black Death, a serious illness. Harris went home and gave his first sermon, a religious speech, in Chipping Campden.

In 1606, he married Joan Whateley. She was the sister of his friend, William Whateley, who was a vicar (a type of minister) in Banbury. Robert and Joan had a large family with at least twelve children. One of their sons, Dr. Malachi Harris, later became a chaplain (a minister who serves a specific group or institution) to important people like Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange and Charles II of England.

Robert Harris returned to Oxford and studied theology, which is the study of religion, for ten years. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree in 1614. That same year, Sir Anthony Cope, 1st Baronet offered him a "living" at Hanwell, Oxfordshire. A "living" meant a church position that provided a home and income. The parsonage (the minister's house) in Hanwell became a popular place for Oxford students to visit.

Preaching and Politics

Robert Harris became famous as a preacher. He gave sermons in important churches in London, like St. Paul's Cathedral and St. Saviour's Southwark, as well as in his own area. He was a strong Puritan and supported the Parliament during a time of political and religious conflict in England.

In 1642, he was chosen by Parliament to be one of the religious leaders they would ask for advice. He also preached before the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, which is part of the English Parliament, during a public day of prayer.

Challenges and New Roles

After the battle of Edgehill in 1642, soldiers who supported the King (called Royalists) took over Hanwell. They forced Harris and his family out of their home and church position. He had to move to London in September 1642.

In London, he became a member of the Westminster Assembly. This was a group of religious leaders who worked to reform the Church of England. He also received a new "living" at St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate.

In 1646, he was offered another church position in Petersfield. However, before he could take it, he was ordered to Oxford in September. He was one of six religious leaders chosen to preach there. From 1647 to 1652, and again from 1654 to 1658, he served as a "visitor" to the university. This meant he helped oversee and inspect the university. In 1647, he gave his first sermon as a visitor at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. In this sermon, he defended himself against accusations of holding too many church positions at once.

President of Trinity College

In 1648, the head of Oxford University, Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, gave Harris the highest degree, Doctor of Divinity (D.D.). At the same time, Harris became the President of Trinity College. He took over from Hannibal Potter, whom he had helped remove from the position. Along with being President, he also received the "living" of Garsington, Oxfordshire.

He gave lectures once a week at All Souls' College and preached on Sundays at Garsington. Robert Harris passed away on December 1, 1658, at the age of 77. He was buried in the chapel at Trinity College.

Some people who supported the King criticized him, saying he held too many church jobs at once. However, there is no clear proof that he had all these positions at the same time. John Wilkins, another important religious figure, described Harris as one of the best ministers for preaching and practical religious teaching. Robert Harris published many of his sermons. Most of what we know about him comes from a very positive biography written by his friend and relative, William Durham.

Durham described Harris as "a man of admirable prudence, profound judgement, eminent gifts and graces, furnished with all the singular qualifications which might render him a complete man, a wise governor, a profitable preacher and a good Christian." This means Durham saw him as a very wise, smart, talented, and good person, leader, and preacher.