Charles D'Arcy
Encyclopedia
Charles Frederick D'Arcy (2 January 1859 – 1 February 1938) was a Church of Ireland
clergy
man, from 1903 Bishop of Clogher
, in 1907 translated to become Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin
and then Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
, briefly Archbishop of Dublin
, and finally from 1920 until his death Archbishop of Armagh
. He was also a theologian
, author
and botanist
.
, and of Henrietta Anna, a daughter of Thomas Brierly of Rehoboth House, Dublin. He was a grandson of John D'Arcy of Hydepark, County Westmeath
, and a descendant of John Darcy
, the first Baron Darcy de Knayth
, one of the knight
s who had fought at the Battle of Crecy
(1346).
Charles D'Arcy was educated at The High School, Dublin
, and Trinity College, Dublin
, where he was the first mathematical scholar of his year and won a gold medal in Moral Philosophy. He graduated BA
in 1882, with a first-class Divinity Testimonium, and MA in 1892. He was later awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Divinity
, 1898, and Doctor of Divinity
, 1900.
and became curate
of Saint Thomas's, Belfast
, in 1884. He became Rector
of Billy
, County Antrim
in 1890, and of the united parishes of Ballymena
and Ballyclug in 1893. From 1895 to 1903, he was chaplain
to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
, successively the 5th Earl Cadogan
and the 2nd Earl of Dudley
. In addition, he was Prebendary
of Connor in Lisburn Cathedral , from 1898 to 1900. His next living
was as Vicar
of Belfast, from 1900 to 1903, and while there he was also appointed Dean
of St Anne's Cathedral and examining chaplain to Bishop Welland..
In 1903, D'Arcy was elected Bishop of Clogher
, in 1907 was translated to become Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin, and in 1911 Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
, succeeding Dr John Baptist Crozier
in both.
He corresponded with Shane Leslie
in 1907 about Leslie's decision to convert to Roman Catholicism.
In 1907, he became a member of the Royal Irish Academy
and was a Select Preacher at the University of Cambridge
1907–1908 and 1925 and Hulsean Preacher at Cambridge, from 1929 to 1930; as well as a Select Preacher at the University of Oxford
, 1908–1910, at the University of Glasgow
, 1912, and at the University of Durham, 1923.
In August 1919, D'Arcy was appointed Archbishop of Dublin
, Bishop of Glendalough and Kildare and Primate of Ireland
Metropolitan. Less than a year later, in June 1920, he was elected as Archbishop of Armagh
and Primate of All Ireland, again succeeding Crozier.
He was opposed to Irish Home Rule, and in 1912 signed the Ulster Covenant
. In 1921, he was appointed a member of the Senate of Southern Ireland, which was abolished with the establishment of the Irish Free State
in 1922, but did not attend.
He was a life-long friend of James Craig, Lord Craigavon
, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
, and a member of the Athenaeum Club
, London
, and the University Club, Dublin. He was also a supporter of the Eugenics
movement and chaired the Belfast branch of the Eugenics Education Society.
In 1934, he published his autobiography
, The Adventures of a Bishop: a Phase in Irish Life, and in June 1937 announced that he intended to retire, because of poor health. However, in the event he continued as Archbishop until he died on 1 February 1938. He was buried at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
, County Down
, and they had one son and three daughters. Mrs D'Arcy died of a heart attack during a cruise to the West Indies in the summer of 1932. Of their three daughters, one married Charles Mulholland, 3rd Baron Dunleath
and became Lady Dunleath. Their son, John Conyers D'Arcy
, Royal Artillery
, fought in both World Wars and ended his career as the Commander of British forces in Palestine
and Transjordan
. In May 1920, D'Arcy gave his son a Special licence to marry Noël Patricia Wakefield.
Between 1900 and 1903, D'Arcy corresponded with his uncle George James Norman D'Arcy about his uncle's petition
to the Crown
for the abeyant
peerage
of Darcy de Knayth
. However, in 1903 the House of Lords
awarded the title to Violet Herbert, Countess of Powis
.
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man, from 1903 Bishop of Clogher
Bishop of Clogher
The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one...
, in 1907 translated to become Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin
Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin
The Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin in the Ecclesiastical Province of Dublin...
and then Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
The Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore; comprising all County Down and County Antrim, including the city of Belfast.-History:...
, briefly Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
, and finally from 1920 until his death Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland)
The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh is the ecclesiastical head of the Church of Ireland, the metropolitan of the Province of Armagh and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Armagh....
. He was also a theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and botanist
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
.
Early life
Born in Dublin in 1859, D'Arcy was the son of John Charles D'Arcy of Mount Tallant, County DublinCounty Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
, and of Henrietta Anna, a daughter of Thomas Brierly of Rehoboth House, Dublin. He was a grandson of John D'Arcy of Hydepark, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, and a descendant of John Darcy
John Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Knayth
John Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Knayth , was an English peer.He was born circa 1280, probably at Knaith, Lincolnshire, the son of Roger de Darcy and Isabel D’Aton....
, the first Baron Darcy de Knayth
Baron Darcy de Knayth
Baron Darcy de Knayth is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1332 for John Darcy. At the death of the sixth baron, the barony fell into abeyance, which the Sovereign terminated in 1641 in favour of Conyers Darcy. The next baron, also named Conyers, was granted the title of Earl of...
, one of the knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
s who had fought at the Battle of Crecy
Battle of Crécy
The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 near Crécy in northern France, and was one of the most important battles of the Hundred Years' War...
(1346).
Charles D'Arcy was educated at The High School, Dublin
The High School, Dublin
The High School is a co-educational school located in Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland. The school was founded in 1870 in Harcourt Street before moving to its current location in Rathgar in 1971 and amalgamated with The Diocesan School for Girls in 1974, thereby becoming co-educational.-Millennium...
, and Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, where he was the first mathematical scholar of his year and won a gold medal in Moral Philosophy. He graduated BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1882, with a first-class Divinity Testimonium, and MA in 1892. He was later awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
, 1898, and Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
, 1900.
Career
D'Arcy was ordainedOrdination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
and became curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of Saint Thomas's, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, in 1884. He became Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Billy
Billy, County Antrim
-References:*...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
in 1890, and of the united parishes of Ballymena
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
and Ballyclug in 1893. From 1895 to 1903, he was chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
, successively the 5th Earl Cadogan
George Cadogan, 5th Earl Cadogan
George Henry Cadogan, 5th Earl Cadogan KG, PC, JP was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:...
and the 2nd Earl of Dudley
William Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley
William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, PC, TD, DL , styled Viscount Ednam before 1885, was a British Conservative politician...
. In addition, he was Prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Connor in Lisburn Cathedral , from 1898 to 1900. His next living
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
was as Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Belfast, from 1900 to 1903, and while there he was also appointed Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of St Anne's Cathedral and examining chaplain to Bishop Welland..
In 1903, D'Arcy was elected Bishop of Clogher
Bishop of Clogher
The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one...
, in 1907 was translated to become Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin, and in 1911 Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
The Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore; comprising all County Down and County Antrim, including the city of Belfast.-History:...
, succeeding Dr John Baptist Crozier
John Baptist Crozier
John Baptist Crozier MRIA was Archbishop of Armagh of the Church of Ireland and Primate of All Ireland .-Early life:John Baptist Crozier, eldest son of the Reverend Baptist Barton Crozier and Catherine Mary Crozier née Bolland, Rockview, Ballyhaise was born in the townland of Knockfad on 8 April...
in both.
He corresponded with Shane Leslie
Shane Leslie
Sir John Randolph Leslie, 3rd Baronet, generally known as Shane Leslie , was an Irish-born diplomat and writer. He was a first cousin of the British war time Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill...
in 1907 about Leslie's decision to convert to Roman Catholicism.
In 1907, he became a member of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
and was a Select Preacher at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
1907–1908 and 1925 and Hulsean Preacher at Cambridge, from 1929 to 1930; as well as a Select Preacher at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, 1908–1910, at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, 1912, and at the University of Durham, 1923.
In August 1919, D'Arcy was appointed Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
, Bishop of Glendalough and Kildare and Primate of Ireland
Primate of Ireland
The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. Primate is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in the Middle Ages there was an intense rivalry between the two...
Metropolitan. Less than a year later, in June 1920, he was elected as Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland)
The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh is the ecclesiastical head of the Church of Ireland, the metropolitan of the Province of Armagh and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Armagh....
and Primate of All Ireland, again succeeding Crozier.
He was opposed to Irish Home Rule, and in 1912 signed the Ulster Covenant
Ulster Covenant
The Ulster Covenant was signed by just under half a million of men and women from Ulster, on and before September 28, 1912, in protest against the Third Home Rule Bill, introduced by the Government in that same year...
. In 1921, he was appointed a member of the Senate of Southern Ireland, which was abolished with the establishment of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in 1922, but did not attend.
He was a life-long friend of James Craig, Lord Craigavon
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, PC, PC , was a prominent Irish unionist politician, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland...
, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
, and a member of the Athenaeum Club
Athenaeum Club, London
The Athenaeum Club, usually just referred to as the Athenaeum, is a notable London club with its Clubhouse located at 107 Pall Mall, London, England, at the corner of Waterloo Place....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and the University Club, Dublin. He was also a supporter of the Eugenics
Eugenics
Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to human populations. The origins of the concept of eugenics began with certain interpretations of Mendelian inheritance,...
movement and chaired the Belfast branch of the Eugenics Education Society.
In 1934, he published his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, The Adventures of a Bishop: a Phase in Irish Life, and in June 1937 announced that he intended to retire, because of poor health. However, in the event he continued as Archbishop until he died on 1 February 1938. He was buried at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
Marriage and family
In 1889, D'Arcy married Harriet Le Byrtt Lewis, daughter of Richard Lewis of ComrieComrie
Comrie is an affluent village and parish in the southern highlands of Scotland, towards the western end of the Strathearn district of Perth and Kinross, seven miles west of Crieff. The village has won the Royal Horticultural Society "Large Village Britain in Bloom Winner" in 2007 and 2010...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, and they had one son and three daughters. Mrs D'Arcy died of a heart attack during a cruise to the West Indies in the summer of 1932. Of their three daughters, one married Charles Mulholland, 3rd Baron Dunleath
Baron Dunleath
Baron Dunleath, of Ballywalter in the County of Down, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1892 for the businessman and former Conservative Member of Parliament for Downpatrick, John Mulholland. The Mulholland family were involved in the cotton and linen industry in...
and became Lady Dunleath. Their son, John Conyers D'Arcy
John D'Arcy (British Army officer)
Lieutenant-General John Conyers D'Arcy CBE MC was a British Army officer who commanded 9th Armoured Division during World War II.-Military career:...
, Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, fought in both World Wars and ended his career as the Commander of British forces in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
and Transjordan
Transjordan
The Emirate of Transjordan was a former Ottoman territory in the Southern Levant that was part of the British Mandate of Palestine...
. In May 1920, D'Arcy gave his son a Special licence to marry Noël Patricia Wakefield.
Between 1900 and 1903, D'Arcy corresponded with his uncle George James Norman D'Arcy about his uncle's petition
Petition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
to the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
for the abeyant
Abeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
peerage
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
of Darcy de Knayth
Baron Darcy de Knayth
Baron Darcy de Knayth is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1332 for John Darcy. At the death of the sixth baron, the barony fell into abeyance, which the Sovereign terminated in 1641 in favour of Conyers Darcy. The next baron, also named Conyers, was granted the title of Earl of...
. However, in 1903 the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
awarded the title to Violet Herbert, Countess of Powis
Violet Herbert, Countess of Powis
Violet Ida Eveline Herbert, Countess of Powis and 16th Baroness Darcy de Knayth was a British peeress....
.
Honours
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Oxford
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Queen’s University, Belfast
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Glasgow
- Honorary Doctor of Letters, University of Dublin
- Fellow of the British AcademyBritish AcademyThe British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
, 1927
Selected publications
- A Short Study of Ethics (Macmillan, 1895, second edition, 1901)
- Idealism and Theology: a study of presuppositions (University of Dublin Donnellan LecturesDonnellan LecturesThe Donnellan Lectures are a lecture series at Trinity College, Dublin, instituted in 1794. The lectures were originally given under the auspices of the School of Hebrew, Biblical and Theological Studies. But since 1987 they have been run on a triennial basis by the Department of Philosophy and are...
for 1897–1898) - Idealism and theology (Hodder, 1899)
- Ruling Ideas of Our Lord (Christian Study Manuals Series) (Hodder and Stoughton, 1901, second edition 1902)
- 'Articles on Consciousness, Leading Ideas, and Trinity', in Hastings' Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels
- Christianity and the Supernatural (Anglican Church Handbooks series) (1909)
- Christian Ethics and Modern Thought (Anglican Church Handbooks) (Longmans, Green, 1912)
- What is the Church? (Longmans, Green, 1914)
- God and Freedom in Human Experience (University of Dublin Donnellan Lectures for 1913–1914) (1915)
- God and the Struggle for Existence (contributor) (1919)
- Anglican Essays (contributor) (1923)
- Science and Creation (1925)
- The Christian Outlook in the Modern World (1929)
- God in Science (J. Nisbet, 1930)
- Providence and The World-Order (Robertson Lectures, Glasgow University) (Round Table Press, 1932)
- The Adventures of a Bishop: a Phase in Irish Life (Hodder and Stoughton, 1934, autobiography)
- God and the struggle for existence (Association Press, 1996)
External links
- Grave of Charles Frederick D'Arcy at findagrave.com