Robert Harrison

Robert Harrison (died 1585?) was an English lay schoolmaster who became a religious leader as a Protestant Separatist, one of the original Brownists.

Life Harrison matriculated as a pensioner of St John's College, Cambridge on 4 October 1564, moved to Corpus Christi College, and graduated B.A. 1567, M.A. 1572.

In July 1573 Harrison applied for the post of master of the grammar school of Aylsham, Norfolk. He was recommended to Bishop John Parkhurst by the mayor and some of the aldermen of Norwich, with reasons excusing Harrison for having raised an objection to the use of the service of the Book of Common Prayer at his marriage. Parkhurst made difficulties, including that the liturgical offence had been in the face of warnings; but finally gave way after an appeal from inhabitants of Aylsham. Within a month of his appointment Harrison requested that changes might be made in the baptismal service on the occasion of his being godfather to an infant, and he was removed by the bishop in January 1574. Three formes of Catechismes, conteyning the most principal pointes of Religion, 1583.

Correspondence with Cartwright led to An Answere to Master Cartwright his Letter for joyning with the English Churches: whereunto the true copie of his sayde Letter is annexed, London.

Harrison is also credited with:

Of Ghostes and Spirites walking by night, and of strange noyses, crackes, and sundry forewarninges, which commonly happen before the death of menne, great slaughters and alterations of kyngdomes. One Booke. Written by Lewes Lavaterus of Tigurine, and translated into Englyshe by R. H., London,1572 and 1596. Translation of a demonological work by Ludwig Lavater. A boke of the forme of common prayers, administration of the Sacramentes, &c., agreeable to Gods worde and the use of the Reformed Churches, 1586, 1587;

and possibly

Master R. H. His letter to the B. of Norwich, 1576 (in A Parte of a Register, pp. 365–70).

A Theologicall Discourse of the Lamb of God and His enemies, London, 1590, which has been attributed to Harrison, is by Richard Harvey.