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]