Neil Campbell (bishop of Argyll) explained

Type:bishop
Neil Campbell
Bishop of Argyll
Church:Church of Scotland
Diocese:Diocese of Argyll
Term:1580 - 1608
Predecessor:James Hamilton
Successor:John Campbell (son)
Consecration:1580
Death Date:January 1613 or before 21 July 1627
Nationality:Scottish
Spouse:Christine Carswell

Neil Campbell (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Niall Caimbeul) (died c. 1613 or 1627) was the son of Alexander, son of the parson [MacPherson] ("Alasdair mac a' Phearsain"), a member of the Campbells of Carnassarie.[1]

He is probably the Nigellus Campbell who graduated from the University of St Andrews in 1575 as Master of Arts.[1] The Neil Campbell who was recorded as the parson of Kilmartin and precentor of Lismore Cathedral in 1574 is probably him too.[2]

Following the death of James Hamilton in 1580, Neil Campbell became Bishop of Argyll.[1] In March 1588, he examined witnesses in a civil dispute on behalf of the Privy Council, and in the following year the Privy Council placed him in charge of the commission against catholics in Argyll; in August of that year (i.e. 1589), the Moderator of the General Assembly, Patrick Galloway, appointed Neil as one of the Assembly's assessors.[1]

He married Christine,[3] daughter of John Carswell, Bishop of the Isles and his predecessor as parson of Kilmartin.[1] With Christine, he had several children. His eldest was John Campbell, who went on to become his father's successor as Bishop of Argyll; another son, Neil, became Bishop of the Isles.[1] He had at least four other children: Colin, Alexander, Donald and a daughter whose name is unknown.[1]

He resigned his see to his son sometime between January and June 1608; he died in January 1613[4] or before 21 July 1627.[3] [5]

References

Notes and References

  1. MacDonald, "Campbell, Neil (d. 1613?)".
  2. MacDonald, "Campbell, Neil (d. 1613?)"; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 32.
  3. , Fasti Ecclesae Scoticanae, volume 4, p. 13.
  4. MacDonald, "Campbell, Neil (d. 1613?)"; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 28.
  5. , Fasti Ecclesae Scoticanae, volume 7, p. 332.