The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Edward White Benson |
|
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Archbishop of Canterbury | |
Installed | 29 March 1883 |
Term ended | 11 October 1896 |
Predecessor | Archibald Campbell Tait |
Successor | Frederick Temple |
Personal details | |
Birth name | Edward White Benson |
Born | 14 July 1829 Birmingham, Warwickshire, England |
Died | 11 October 1896 Hawarden, Flintshire, Wales |
(aged 67)
Buried | Canterbury Cathedral |
Nationality | British |
Denomination | Anglican |
Parents | Edward White Benson, Sr. |
Spouse | Mary (Minnie) Sidgwick |
Edward White Benson (14 July 1829 – 11 October 1896) was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1883 until his death.
Edward White Benson was born at Lombard Street in Highgate, Birmingham on 14 July 1829, the son of Birmingham chemical manufacturer Edward White Benson Sr. (26 August 1802 - 7 February 1843) and his wife Harriet Baker Benson (13 June 1805 - 29 May 1850). He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated BA (8th classic) in 1852. At King Edward’s, Benson “manifested a deeply religious tone of mind and was fond of sermons”.
Benson began his career as a schoolmaster at Rugby School in 1852, and was ordained deacon in 1852 and priest in 1857. In 1859 Benson was chosen by Prince Albert as the first Master (headmaster) of Wellington College, Berkshire, which had been built as the nation's memorial to the Duke of Wellington. Benson was largely responsible for establishing Wellington as a public school, closely modelled on Rugby School, rather than the military academy originally planned.
From 1872 to 1877 he was Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, where in 1874 he set up a Theological College.
He was then appointed the first Bishop of Truro, where he served from 1877 to 1882. He was consecrated a bishop by Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury, on St Mark's day (25 April) 1877 at St Paul's Cathedral. He founded Truro High School for Girls in 1880.