Bishop Harper

Henry John Chitty Harper (9 January 1804 – 28 December 1893) was an Anglican bishop in the second half of the 19th century.

Harper was born on 9 January 1804, educated at The Queen's College, Oxford and ordained in 1832. He was Chaplain of Eton College until December 1840 then Vicar of St Mary’s, Stratfield Mortimer. In 1856 he was appointed to the episcopate as Bishop of Christchurch and in 1867 became Primate of New Zealand, relinquishing both posts in 1890. He died on 28 December 1893 and is buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery.

His eldest daughter, Emily Weddell Harper married the politician John Acland. Two of his other daughters married Charles Blakiston, son of Matthew Blakiston; and Charles George Tripp. A son, Leonard Harper, became a member of parliament, and Arthur Paul Harper was his grandson. Another son, Charles John Harper, owned various large farms and unsuccessfully stood for election to the House of Representatives in the Ashburton electorate in 1899.