A notable preacher and divine and one of the most notable theologians of the
18th century.
Conybeare was born at
Pinhoe, where his father was vicar. He was elected a Probationary Fellow of Exeter College in 1710, took his B.A. degree in 1713 and was appointed a year later as
Praelector in
Philosophy.
On May 27, 1716, Conybeare was ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Winchester,
Sir Jonathan Trelawney and took a
curacy in Surrey. He returned to
Oxford a year later and became a well known preacher.
His subsequent appointments included:
▪ Curate of St. Clement's, Oxford
▪ Senior Proctor, Exeter College, Oxford, 1725
▪ Elected
Rector of Exeter College,1730
▪ Dean of
Christ Church, Oxford, 1732
▪ Bishop of Bristol, 1750
Conybeare was known for the publication of his book Calumny Refuted, an answer to the personal slander of Dr.
Richard Newton.