- Francis Rous
Francis Rous or Rouse (1579 - 1659) was a versifier of the
Psalms , aCornishman , and aprominentPuritan , took a leading part in Parliament: he was elected to Parliament for Cornwall in 1604 and 1656; for Truro 1626, 1640 (twice) and 1654; for Tregony 1628; and for Devon 1653. [Citation
author = J. J. Alexander
title = Devon Country Members of Parliament, Part V, The Stuart Period (1603-1688)
journal = Rep. Trans. Devon. Ass. Advmt Sci.
volume = XLVIII
pages = 333-334
date = 1916] wasProvost of Eton , and wrote several theological and devotional works.His memory has been chiefly kept green by his translation of the Psalms intoverse, which with some modifications was adopted by the Church and
Parliament of Scotland for use in public worship, a position which it held almost exclusively until the middle of the 19th century. It is still in universal use in the Presbyterian churches of that country, though now accompanied by hymns. Though rough, and sometimes, through the endeavour to maintain literalness, grotesque, it is strong and simple, and not seldom rises to a certain severe beauty; and association has endeared itto many generations of Scottish Christians.He was Speaker of the House during
Barebones Parliament ofThe Protectorate .References
*A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature
Further reading
*
ODNB article by Colin Burrow, ‘Rous, Francis (1580/81–1659)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/24171, accessed 2 July 2008] .
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