Anthony Martin (14 December 1592 - 9 March 1650) was an Anglo-Irish Anglican priest who served as

Provost of Trinity College Dublin The following persons have been provost of Trinity College Dublin. References {{University of Dublin, Trinity College Trinity College, Dublin Trinity College Dublin (), officially titled The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity o ...

from 1645 to 1650. He played a prominent role in the religious and political life of Ireland during the 17th century Martin is known for his contributions to the ecclesiastical affairs of Ireland and his efforts to strengthen the Church of Ireland during a time of religious and political upheaval.

Early life and education

Martin was born in

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

and educated at

Emmanuel College, Cambridge Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Elizabeth I. The site on which the college sits was once a priory for Dominican mo ...

and

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any ...

. Martin became Vicar of Yagoestown in 1618. He was

Prebendary A prebendary is a member of the Catholic Church, Catholic or Anglicanism , Anglican clergy, a form of canon (priest) , canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in part ...

Castleknock Castleknock () is an affluent village in County Dublin, Ireland, located west of the centre of Dublin city. It is in the modern county of Fingal. In addition to the village, the name "Castleknock" also refers to older units of land division: a ...

St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Saint Patrick's Cathedral () in Dublin, Ireland is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral, also a Church of Ireland cathedral in Dublin, is designated as the local cathedral of ...

from 1619 to 1620; and

Archdeacon of Dublin The Archdeacon of Dublin is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Anglican Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. The Archdeacon is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the Dublin part of the diocese, which is by far ...

from then until 1625. He was also Rector of

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of Cashel Cathedral and

Dean of Waterford The Dean of Waterford in the United Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory in the Church of Ireland is the dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford. List of deans of Waterford *Gilbert: 1212 * William Wace: 12–1223 (afterwards Bishop of Waterford) ...

in commendam In canon law, commenda (or ''in commendam'') was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice ''in trust'' to the ''custody'' of a patron. The phrase ''in commendam'' was originally applied to the provisional occupation of an ecclesiastica ...

Ecclesiastical career

Martin was the

Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric. History Until the ...

from 1624 (and

Provost Provost may refer to: Officials Ecclesiastic * Provost (religion), a high-ranking church official * Prince-provost, a high-ranking church official Government * Provost (civil), an officer of local government, including the equivalent ...

Trinity College Dublin Trinity College Dublin (), officially titled The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, and legally incorporated as Trinity College, the University of Dublin (TCD), is the sole constituent college of the Unive ...

) Martin's rise within the ranks of the Church of Ireland began when he was appointed Dean of Waterford in 1614. He later became Dean of Kilkenny before his consecration as Bishop of Meath in 1625. His tenure as bishop was marked by a strong commitment to the Anglican faith and the consolidation of the Church of Ireland's position in Irish society. As Bishop of Meath, Martin had significant influence, both spiritually and politically. He was a staunch defender of the Protestant Reformation in Ireland and worked to ensure that the Church of Ireland maintained its role as the established church. His leadership extended beyond his diocese, as he often collaborated with other ecclesiastical leaders in promoting Protestantism and countering Catholic influence in Ireland.

Legacy and death

Bishop Anthony Martin died in July 1650. His legacy is tied to his efforts to strengthen the Church of Ireland and his role in the political and religious struggles of his time. He is remembered as a pivotal figure in the history of Irish Anglicanism during a period of significant change and conflict."Annals of Ireland, ecclesiastical, civil and military" Graham, G. p223:London, G.Sidney, 1819

References

1650 deaths Alumni of Emmanuel College, Cambridge Anglican bishops of Meath Christian clergy from County Galway Provosts of Trinity College Dublin Archdeacons of Dublin Deans of Waterford {{authority control