Rous, Francis (1579–1659)

English clergyman. His most notable work was his version of The Psalms of David in English Metre 1643, which was adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1650, and is still for Scottish congregations the form in which the Psalms are most familiar. Rous was born in Dittisham, Devon, England. He was educated at Oxford and Leiden universities, studying law at first, before turning to theology. He was a member of Parliament, and in 1643 was appointed Provost of Eton School.