BRISTOW, RICHARD. - English theologian, b. at Worcester in 1538, d. at Harrow-on-the-Hill on 18 Oct. 1581. He studied at Oxford, where he distinguished himself for his intellect, especially during a public disputation before Queen Elizabeth, which he held together with the Blessed Edmund Campion (q.v.), his fellow student. Appointed professor at Exeter College in 1567, he taught there for only two years, forced to flee because of the relentless persecution by the enemies of the Catholic faith. At Louvain a new field of work opened for him when W. Allen (q.v.), later a cardinal, called him to organize the English seminary at Douai, of which he became the first priest in 1573. Teaching and intense scholarly activity soon led him to the grave.
He wrote extensively, especially works of polemics against William Fulke. Worthy of mention are: *A Briefe Treatise of diverse plain and sure ways to finde out the truthe in this doubtful and dangerous time of Heresie* (Antwerp 1574), later republished in a 3rd ed. in 1641 (at Douai?) under the abbreviated title: *Motives inducing to the Catholic Faith*; *Tabula in Summam Theologicam s. Thomae Aquinatis*, s.l. 1579; *Defense of the Bull of Pope Pius V*; *A Reply to Will. Fulke in Defense of M. D. Allens Scrole of Articles, and Book of Purgatoire* (Louvain 1580). He also worked on annotating the first English edition of the New Testament commissioned by W. Allen and printed at Rouen in 1582.