Creighton

MANDELL CREIGHTON (1843 - 1901)

Creighton was born in Carlisle. He was vicar of Embleton from 1875 to 1884, when he became professor of ecclesiastical history at Cambridge. While at Embleton he continued work on his important History of the Papacy During the Period of the Reformation (published in 5 volumes 1882-94). This work was much praised for its detachment and erudition.

At the invitation of Robert Spence Watson (q.v.), Creighton lectured at the Lit and Phil in Newcastle and lent his influence to the Girls' High School movement in Gateshead. 'He was a man of much interest', says Spence Watson,' but full of paradoxes and fond of argument for its own sake.' At the Church Congress in Newcastle in 1881, Creighton and his wife were among the guests at Bensham Grove. He apparently agreed with Spence Watson on the subject of war, but in practice had doubts. 'I don't quite see how a Christian minister should doubt, nor does he.'

Creighton edited The English Historical Review from 1886 and became Bishop of Peterborough in 1891, and Bishop of London in 1897. His other works include The Tudors and the Reformation (1876), The Age of Elizabeth (1876) and biographies of Simon de Montfort, Cardinal Wolsey and Queen Elizabeth. Historical Review articles by Creighton which have local resonance include: 'The Northumbrian Border'; 'John Wiclif' and 'Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini.' In Life and Letters June , 1929, Lytton Strachey comments favourably on Creighton's lucidity, though admitting his style was 'plumless'.

Creighton was a man of striking presence and impressive courtesy. Edmund Gosse in his Portraits and Sketches refers to his 'red hair and cold blue-grey eyes.' Creighton had a daring sense of humour, however, and a distaste for conventional religious phraseology. He is said by his wife to have remarked: 'No people do so much harm as those who go about doing good.' It seems he also held arresting views on the contrasting sexual proclivities of Embleton and Craster, close though those localities are to one another.

Samuel Butler was invited by Creighton to Peterborough and hesitated about going. His man Alfred examined the invitation envelope and found a crumb of tobacco in it, whereupon he advised Butler that he might go. He did, and enjoyed himself very much.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
MANDELL CREIGHTON (1843 - 1901) Creighton was born in Carlisle. He was vicar of Embleton from 1875 to 1884, when he became professor of ecclesiastical history at Cambridge. While at Embleton he continued work on his important History of the Papacy During the Period of the Reformation (published in 5 volumes 1882-94). This work was much praised for its detachment and erudition. At the invitation of Robert Spence Watson (q.v.), Creighton lectured at the Lit and Phil in Newcastle and lent his influence to the Girls' High School movement in Gateshead. 'He was a man of much interest', says Spence Watson,' but full of paradoxes and fond of argument for its own sake.' At the Church Congress in Newcastle in 1881, Creighton and his wife were among the guests at Bensham Grove. He apparently agreed with Spence Watson on the subject of war, but in practice had doubts. 'I don't quite see how a Christian minister should doubt, nor does he.' Creighton edited The English Historical Review from 1886 and became Bishop of Peterborough in 1891, and Bishop of London in 1897. His other works include The Tudors and the Reformation (1876), The Age of Elizabeth (1876) and biographies of Simon de Montfort, Cardinal Wolsey and Queen Elizabeth. Historical Review articles by Creighton which have local resonance include: 'The Northumbrian Border'; 'John Wiclif' and 'Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini.' In Life and Letters June , 1929, Lytton Strachey comments favourably on Creighton's lucidity, though admitting his style was 'plumless'. Creighton was a man of striking presence and impressive courtesy. Edmund Gosse in his Portraits and Sketches refers to his 'red hair and cold blue-grey eyes.' Creighton had a daring sense of humour, however, and a distaste for conventional religious phraseology. He is said by his wife to have remarked: 'No people do so much harm as those who go about doing good.' It seems he also held arresting views on the contrasting sexual proclivities of Embleton and Craster, close though those localities are to one another. Samuel Butler was invited by Creighton to Peterborough and hesitated about going. His man Alfred examined the invitation envelope and found a crumb of tobacco in it, whereupon he advised Butler that he might go. He did, and enjoyed himself very much.
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