William Overton

William Overton (c. 1525– 9 April 1609) was an English bishop. Life He was born in Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England. He became a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1551, and rector of Balcombe (Sussex) and vicar of Eccleshall (Staffordshire) in 1553. He was also made a prebendary at Chichester, Winchester, and Salisbury. He became Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry in 1580, and remained in post until his death in 1609. Glassmaking He was responsible for developing glassmaking in Staffordshire, importing artisans of French origin and supplying firewood from the episcopal estates. The glassworks he established near Eccleshall continued in production after his death, but were affected by legislation which forbade the use of wood for the furnace.