Robert Cornthwaite

Robert Cornthwaite (9 May 1818 – 16 June 1890) was an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was last Bishop of Beverley and the first Bishop of Leeds.

Early life and ministry Robert Cornthwaite was born in Preston, Lancashire, He entered St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw on 9 May 1830, and received the Tonsure and the four minor orders from Bishop Francis George Mostyn on 5 June 1841. During his last year at Ushaw, Cornthwaite taught Humanities. After leaving the English College on 13 April 1846, he joined the mission at Carlisle. He returned to Rome on his appointment as the Rector of the English College, Rome on 25 August 1851, remaining in that post until resigned in September 1857.

The "Great Convent Case" opened on 3 February 1869 at Westminster Hall with press interest. Sister of Mercy Susan Saurin accused her superiors of lying to Cornthwaite in addition to assault and imprisonment. Saurin had previously complained to the Bishop and the enquiry he created was held to be a "parody of justice". The Bishop was reprimanded for not fixing the "miserable squabbles of a convent". Saurin was awarded fifty pounds in damages. The Daily Telegraph made a special publication on the "Inner Life of the Hull Nunnery Exposed" to cover the trial.

On 20 December 1878, the Diocese of Beverley was suppressed and it was replaced by the dioceses of Leeds and Middlesbrough. Cornthwaite continued to serve as the Bishop of Leeds until his death on 16 June 1890, aged 72.