Everything about Alexander Leighton totally explained
» For a sociologist, see Alexander H. Leighton
Alexander Leighton (born
1587 Scotland, died either
1644 or
1649) was a
Scottish medical doctor and
puritan preacher and
pamphleteer best known for his
1630 pamphlet that attacked the
Anglican church and which led to his
torture by
King Charles I.
Early life
Leighton was born in
1587. The
Dictionary of National Biography states that he was descended from an ancient family possessed of the estate of
Ulysham (
Ulishaven) near
Montrose in
Scotland.
Whilst his father was a
Roman Catholic, Leighton himself became a
Presbyterian and a strong opponent of Catholicism.
Medical career
Leighton studied at the
University of St Andrews (
MA) and
Leiden University (
MD), where he studied under Professor van Herne. He worked as a medical doctor, but records show that he was prohibited from practice in
1619 and again in
1626. It is unknown whether these judgements were influenced by his religious views, though they predated the publication in 1628 of the pamphlet for which he was tortured.
On
17 September 1619, Leighton was summoned to a
censorial hearing, which took place on the
24 September 1619.
Once the warrant for his arrest was issued by the High Commission Court, Leighton was taken to William Laud's house and then to
Newgate prison without any trial. He was put in irons in solitary confinement in an unheated and uncovered cell for fifteen weeks, in which the rain and snow could beat in upon him. None of his friends nor even his wife were permitted to see him during this time. According to four doctors, Leighton was so sick that he was unable to attend his supposed sentencing. Durant noted that Leighton also "was tied to a stake and received thirty-six stripes with a heavy cord upon his naked back; he was placed in the pillory for two hours in November's frost and snow; he was branded in the face, had his nose split and his ears cut off, and was condemned to life imprisonment" (Age of Reason Begins, pp. 189-190).
In the end, the Star Chamber's sentence wasn't carried out in full.
Family
Leighton was twice married. His first wife and mother of his six children was Scottish. His second wife was the daughter of Sir William Musgrave of
Cumberland.
Leighton had four sons — Robert, Elisha, James, and Caleb — and two daughters — Sapphira and Elizabeth. James, Caleb and Elizabeth didn't survive to maturity.
Further Information
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