Grosseteste, << GROHS tehst, >> Robert (1175?-1253), was an English scholar, teacher, and bishop. He wrote many works on theology, optics, mathematics, and astronomy. His most famous pupil was Roger Bacon. As Bishop of Lincoln, Grosseteste was a zealous reformer and an able administrator. He defended the freedom of the Roman Catholic Church against royal interference. He was born in the county of Suffolk, and studied at Oxford.