Matthew Parker was an influential figure in the English Reformation and served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1559 to 1575. He was known for his efforts to establish the Church of England as a distinct entity separate from the Roman Catholic Church. Parker was also a scholar and played a key role in the production of the "Bishop's Bible," an important English translation of the Bible. His work and influence had a lasting impact on the development of the Church of England and English religious identity.