RICHARD, an English poet, the son of a clergyman, was born at London, and educated at the Charter-house, London. He was sent to Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, and in 1637 became fellow of Peter-house. In both colleges he was distinguished for his Latin and English poetry. Having been deprived of his fellowship during the civil wars, he was converted, or rather, as Pope says of him, outwitted to the Roman Catholic faith, and went to Paris, where he lived for some time in great poverty.

Cowley, however, hearing of his situation, sought him out and recommended him to Henrietta Maria, queen of England. From her he received letters of recommendation which enabled him to obtain employment at Rome as secretary to a cardinal, and afterwards procured him a canonry in the church of Loretto, where he died about 1650. Crashaw wrote two volumes of poems, entitled Steps to the Temple, and The Delight of the Muses. He also composed a hymn entitled Carmen Deo Nostro, and other sacred poems. His works were first collected and published in 1785.