GODWIN (Francis), successively bishop of Llandaff and Hereford, was born in 1567. He was eminent for his learning and abilities; being a good mathematician, an excellent philosopher, a pure Latinist, and an accurate historian. He understood the true theory of the moon's motion, a century before it was generally known. He first started those hints afterwards pursued by bishop Wilkins, in his Secret and swift messenger; and published A catalogue of the lives of English bishops. He has nevertheless been accused as a great simoniac, for omitting no opportunity of disposing of preferments in order to provide for his children. He died in 1648.