Background
He was born near Chester, entered Trinity College, Dublin, graduated Master of Arts, and became a fellow in 1600.
He was born near Chester, entered Trinity College, Dublin, graduated Master of Arts, and became a fellow in 1600.
He was nominated Bishop of Ardagh on 8 April 1633 and consecrated in September that year. He was also Archdeacon of Derry from 1622 to 1634. And Archdeacon of Connor from 1639 to 1654.
He left Ireland before the Rebellion of 1641 and died in London on 11 August 1654.
In the same year he was selected with James Ussher and another as lay preacher at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Richardson"s part was to preach on Wednesdays, and explain the prophecies of Isaiah.
He later took holy orders, and was created Doctor of Divinity in 1614. Richardson held many preferments.
He was appointed vicar of Granard, in Ardagh, in 1610.
Rector of Ardsrath, Derry, in 1617. Archdeacon of Derry in 1622 (reappointed in the new charter of 1629). And prebendary of Mullaghtrack, Armagh.
On 14 May 1633 he was elected bishop of Ardagh in succession to William Bedell, who had resigned the see because he disapproved of pluralities.
Richardson, however, obtained leave to hold the archdeaconry in commendam. But he was shortly afterwards deprived of his rectory and archdeaconry by Bishop John Bramhall, who found his titles unsound.
On the outbreak of the Irish rebellion in 1641, Richardson left for England, and settled in London, where he died. He bequeathed money to Trinity College, Dublin.