Corbett, Richard (1582-03-25 - 1635-07-28)

The exact birth date of Richard Corbett is unknown. He was educated at Westminster School. Subsequently, he matriculated at Broadgates Hall, Oxford on 7 April 1598 at the age of fifteen. In the same year, he was elected a student at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating B.A. on 20 June 1602 and proceeding M.A. on 9 June 1605. On 26 March 1613, he was ordained deacon and priest, and on 8 May 1617, he was awarded the degrees of B.D. and D.D. Corbett was instituted to the rectory of Puttenham, Hertfordshire in 1620. Shortly after, he became a royal chaplain, in addition to gaining the rectory of Cassington, Oxfordshire. Other rectories held by Corbett include Stewkley (Buckinghamshire) and Brightwell Baldwin (Oxfordshire). Elected to the see of Oxford in 1628, he served as bishop until 1632; after which, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Norwich. He died in Norwich on 28 July 1635, and was buried in Norwich Cathedral. He is remembered today amongst literary critics as a poet as much as a clergyman. No autograph manuscripts of his poetry survive.