Richard Willis (1663–1734) was an English bishop.
Willis was born inRibbesford,Worcestershire, where his father was atanner.[1] He was educated atBewdley Grammar School andWadham College, Oxford, where he matriculated in 1684 and graduatedBA in 1688. He became a Fellow ofAll Souls College, Oxford.[2]
Willis became a curate atCheshunt and then, in 1692, lecturer atSt Clement, Strand, where he acquired a reputation as a preacher. In 1694 he was chaplain toKing William III on a journey to theNetherlands.
In 1701 Willis was appointedDean of Lincoln[2] and in 1714Bishop of Gloucester. In 1721 he becameBishop of Salisbury andChancellor of the Order of the Garter before transferring in 1723 to beBishop of Winchester andClerk of the Closet. Willis wasLord High Almoner from 1718 to 1723.
He was one of the principal founders of theSociety for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK).[3] He gave in 1702 the first of the annual sermons on behalf of theSociety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG). It proposed an influential set of theories about evangelical missionary work in connection with the Anglican church settlement, commercial life and colonization.[4][5]
He accusedJohn Locke of “Hobbism” citing a parallel withLeviathan. He attackeddeism in general, andJohn Toland andWilliam Stephens in particular.[6]
He gave a thanksgiving sermon 23 August 1705, for victories of theDuke of Marlborough in theWar of the Spanish Succession. Given inSt Paul's Cathedral, it was an elaborate effort for a full state occasion, and was published.[7] It attracted also attracted controversy, withJohn Hughes writingA review of the case of Ephraim and Judah, and its application to the case of the church of England and the dissenters, andJoseph Williamson replying.[8] He was also attacked by theUnitarianThomas Emlyn.[9]
He was aWhig in politics.
He died on 10 August 1734 aged 71. There is a large memorial to him inWinchester Cathedral sculpted byHenry Cheere.[10]
Church of England titles | ||
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Preceded by | Bishop of Gloucester 1715–1722 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Bishop of Salisbury 1722–1723 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Bishop of Winchester 1723–1734 |