Robert Leighton was born in 1611, related to a family of some distinction resident near Montrose. While his grandfather was a Roman Catholic, his father, Dr. Alexander Leighton served as doctor and Presbyterian minister in London and Utrecht. He was a strong opponent of Episcopacy.
The life of this man is a story in its own, he was 30 years old at the time of his ordination.
At the age of 16 Robert Leighton entered the University of Edinburgh in the winter of 1627 and completed his degree of Master of Arts in July 1631. He then spent some years abroad, principally at Douai, in France.
Leighton returned to Scotland in 1638 and was ordained to the Parish of Newbattle, about six miles from Edinburgh, in 1641. Family life prior to his ordination, had not been tranquil, he had seen his father, a Medical Doctor, suffer terrible hardship resulting from his father's authorship of the Book "Zion's plea against Prelacy".
In this book his father had, at a time when Episcopacy and Presbytery fought for supremacy, severely criticised the Bishops who then ruled the Church of Scotland. He had had his ears cut off, his nose split, thrown in Jail and was only released when his son was ordained at Newbattle. An earlier day Salman Rushtie perhaps, but not so lucky.
In 1653, he was appointed Principal of Edinburgh University where he continued until Episcopacy was restored by King Charles II. Leighton became Bishop of Dunblane in 1661. He was consecrated in Westminster and first met the SYnod of Dunblane on 15th September 1662.
At the personal request of Charles II in 1670, Bishop Leighton was induced to become Archbishop of Glasgow. Acceptance of this dignity had been prompted by hope that it would provide him with the opportunity to find common ground on which to reconcile the Episcopalians with Presbyterians. He met opposition in the South West, although Glasgow petitioned Charles II for him to stay.
Leighton retired to spend the rest of his life with his step-sister Sophia Lightmaker, in Sussex. While on a visit to London he died on the 25th of June 1684 and was buried at Horsted Heynes, Sussex.
Robert Leighton is recorded as of singular learning, piety, benevolence and great gentleness. He bequeathed his books approximating 1400 volumes to the Cathedral of Dunblane, together with 100 pounds towards the cost of erecting a building to accommodate them.
With additional finance and endowment from his relatives, the provisions of the bequest were completed in 1688 with the Erection of the Leighton Library.
Leighton's legacy of education, a love of books and knowledge were passed on to many of his parishioners, including the Stirling Family. For over 500 years there has been a focus on Education and learning in most segments of the Stirling Families. Robert Leighton undoubtedly played a large role in it.
THE LEIGHTON LIBRARY
The Leighton Library is the oldest privately owned library in Scotland. It was founded by Robert Leighton (1611-84), the then Bishop of Dunblane.
This two story building measures 44 feet by 20 feet. It took four years to complete. The lower story has a barrel vaulted roof and was orginally divided into two or three rooms with doors for living quarters for the librarian.
The first known librarian was Robert Douglas, former minister at Bothwell and son of the last Bishop of Dunblane.
Today the first floor consists of a single room lined presses of shelving for the storage of books. The original six presses hold Robert Leighton's own books.
The management of the Leighton Library has been under the control of a succession of Trustees since 1691. You can access the catalog for the library at Stirling University's Library - http://www.library.stir.ac.uk/spcoll/Leighton.html
The library building was completed in 1688 and housed the Bishop's own private book collection. The cost of the building was kept to a minimum by using fallen stone from the nearby Bishops's Palace. The rare collection of books has since grown from the original 1,400 books bequeathed to some 4,500 volumes on a variety of subjects and printed in 80 different languages. Visitors to this impressive literary collection are given the rare and unique opportunity to handle some of Scotland's rarest books, the oldest being a book of Psalms dating back to 1504. The collection includes Samuel Johnson's Dictionaries, and many first editions, such as Sir Walter Scott's 'Lady of the Lake'.
Leighton Library ~ (1980's)
The library is open to the general public from May to the beginning of October and to groups at other times by arrangement. Ckeck the Dunblane Cathedral website for open times and dates. http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/leightonlibrary.htm
