(Robert), archbishop of Glasgow. During Cromwell's usurpation, he was minister of a church near Edinburgh, and distinguished himself by his charity, and his aversion to religious and political disputes. The ministers were then called over yearly in the synod, and were commonly asked, Whether they had preached to the times? "For God's sake (answered Leighton), when all my brethren preach to the times, suffer me to preach about eternity." His moderation, however, giving offence, he retired to a life of privacy. But soon after, he was called by the unanimous voice of the magistrates, to preside over the college of Edinburgh; where, during ten years, he displayed all the talents of a prudent, wise, and learned governor. Soon after the Restoration, when the ill-judged affair of introducing episcopacy into Scotland was resolved on, Leighton was consecrated bishop of Dunblane, and immediately gave an instance of his moderation; for when Sharpe and the other bishops intended to enter Edinburgh in a pompous manner, Leighton remonstrated against it; but finding that what he said had no weight, he left them, and went to Edinburgh alone. Leighton, in his own diocese, set such a remarkable example of moderation, that he was revered even by the most rigid of the opposite party. He went about, preaching without any appearance of pomp; gave all he had to the poor; and removed none of the ministers, however exceptionable he might think their political principles. But finding that none of the other bishops would be induced to join, as he thought, properly in the work, he went to the king, and resigned his bishopric, telling him he would not have a hand in such oppressive measures. Soon after, the king and council, partly induced by this good bishop's remonstrances, and partly by their own observations, resolved to carry on the cause of episcopacy in Scotland on a different plan; and with this view, Leighton was persuaded to accept of the archbishopric of Glasgow, on which he made one effort more; but finding it not in his power to stem the violence of the times, he resigned his archbishopric, and retired into Suffolk, where he devoted himself to acts of piety. He died in the year 1684. He was of a most amiable disposition, strict in his life, polite, cheerful, engaging in his manners, and profoundly learned. He left many sermons and useful tracts, which are greatly esteemed.