Robert Tinsley Holtby FSA was an Anglican priest and author. in the second half of the 20th century. Born in Thornton-le-Dale on 25 February 1921 and educated at Scarborough College and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, he was ordained after a period of study at Ripon College Cuddesdon in 1947. In that year he married Mary, the elder daughter of Eric Graham, the Bishop of Brechin: they had three children. He was Curate of Pocklington until 1948 when he became a Chaplain to the Forces. Following this he was Chaplain and an Assistant Master at Malvern College then St Edward's School, Oxford. From 1959 to 1967 he was a Canon Residentiary at Carlisle Cathedral and a Director of Education, Diocese of Carlisle. For the next decade he was General Secretary of the National Society for Promoting Religious Ed