David L. Edwards
Encyclopedia
David Lawrence Edwards OBE (born 1929) is a retired Anglican priest
. He was the Dean
of Norwich
, Provost of Southwark
and has been a prolific author.
(BA
1952, MA
1956).
for a seven year period from 1952 to 1959. He spent the academic year of 1953-54 studying at Westcott House, Cambridge
and was ordained deacon in 1954. He served as a tutor at Westcott House
(1954-55) and he was ordained priest in 1955.
In 1955, Edwards began his ordained ministry as an assistant curate at St John's Hampstead
and also began his work with the Student Christian Movement
as its secretary, remaining in both positions until 1958.
Edwards was assistant curate of St Martin-in-the-Fields
(1958-66), editor for the Student Christian Movement Press
(1959-66) and General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement
(1965-66).
From 1966 until 1970, Edwards was the Dean of King's College, Cambridge
. He was also a Six Preacher of Canterbury Cathedral
(1969-76).
Edwardse was a canon of Westminster Abbey
and the rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster
(1970-78). He was additionally chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons
(1972-78) and Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey
(1974-78). He was Chairman of the Churches' Council on Gambling (1970-78) and of Christian Aid
(1971-78). He was the Dean of Norwich
from 1978 to 1983 and the Provost of Southwark
from 1983 to 1994.
Edwards retired to Winchester
, becoming an honorary chaplain at Winchester Cathedral
in 1995.
, Robert Runcie
, conferred upon him the Lambeth degree
of Doctor of Divinity
. He wore the academic dress of his former headmaster, Fred Shirley
(who had himself been a Doctor of Divinity
) and of whom Edwards wrote a biography, F. J. Shirley: An Extraordinary Headmaster (1969).
Also in 1990, Edwards was appointed an honorary fellow of the South Bank Polytechnic (later South Bank University and now called London South Bank University
).
In 1995, Queen Elizabeth II
appointed Edwards an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The most recent include:
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. He was the 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 Norwich
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
, Provost of Southwark
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
and has been a prolific author.
Education
Edwards was educated at the King's School, Canterbury and Magdalen College, OxfordMagdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
(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...
1952, MA
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
1956).
Academic career and ministry
Edwards was elected a Fellow of All Souls College, OxfordAll Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
for a seven year period from 1952 to 1959. He spent the academic year of 1953-54 studying at Westcott House, Cambridge
Westcott House, Cambridge
Westcott House is a Church of England theological college based in Jesus Lane located in the centre of the university city of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.Its main activity is training people for ordained ministry in Anglican churches...
and was ordained deacon in 1954. He served as a tutor at Westcott House
Westcott House, Cambridge
Westcott House is a Church of England theological college based in Jesus Lane located in the centre of the university city of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.Its main activity is training people for ordained ministry in Anglican churches...
(1954-55) and he was ordained priest in 1955.
In 1955, Edwards began his ordained ministry as an assistant curate at St John's Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
and also began his work with the Student Christian Movement
World Student Christian Federation
The World Student Christian Federation is a federation of autonomous national Student Christian Movements forming the youth and student arm of the global ecumenical movement...
as its secretary, remaining in both positions until 1958.
Edwards was assistant curate of St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
(1958-66), editor for the Student Christian Movement Press
World Student Christian Federation
The World Student Christian Federation is a federation of autonomous national Student Christian Movements forming the youth and student arm of the global ecumenical movement...
(1959-66) and General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement
World Student Christian Federation
The World Student Christian Federation is a federation of autonomous national Student Christian Movements forming the youth and student arm of the global ecumenical movement...
(1965-66).
From 1966 until 1970, Edwards was the Dean of King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
. He was also a Six Preacher of Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
(1969-76).
Edwardse was a canon of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and the rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster
St. Margaret's, Westminster
The Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London...
(1970-78). He was additionally chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons
Speaker of the British House of Commons
The Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, the United Kingdom's lower chamber of Parliament. The current Speaker is John Bercow, who was elected on 22 June 2009, following the resignation of Michael Martin...
(1972-78) and Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
(1974-78). He was Chairman of the Churches' Council on Gambling (1970-78) and of Christian Aid
Christian Aid
Christian Aid is the official relief and development agency of 40 British and Irish churches and works to support sustainable development, alleviate poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief in South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia...
(1971-78). He was the Dean of Norwich
Dean of Norwich
The Dean of Norwich is the head of the Chapter of Norwich Cathedral in Norwich, England. The current Dean is the Very Revd Graham Charles Morell Smith.*1538-1539 William Castleton, first dean*1539-1554 John Salisbury*1554-1557 John Christopherson...
from 1978 to 1983 and the Provost of Southwark
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
from 1983 to 1994.
Edwards retired to Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
, becoming an honorary chaplain at Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
in 1995.
Honours
In 1990 the Archbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, Robert Runcie
Robert Runcie
Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
, conferred upon him the Lambeth degree
Lambeth degree
A Lambeth degree is an academic degree conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 as successor of the papal legate in England...
of 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....
. He wore the academic dress of his former headmaster, Fred Shirley
Fred Shirley
Revd Frederick Joseph John Shirley, DD, PhD, LLB was the headmaster, The King's School, Canterbury, 1935–1962.Educated St Edmund Hall, Oxford and London. Married in 1926...
(who had himself been a 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....
) and of whom Edwards wrote a biography, F. J. Shirley: An Extraordinary Headmaster (1969).
Also in 1990, Edwards was appointed an honorary fellow of the South Bank Polytechnic (later South Bank University and now called London South Bank University
London South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
).
In 1995, Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
appointed Edwards an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Writings
Edwards has written more than 60 books, including:- Christian England (London: Collins, 1981-84; Fount, 1982-85)
- vol. 1: Its story to the Reformation
- vol. 2: From the Reformation to the 18th century
- vol. 3: From the 18th century to the First World War
The most recent include:
- Roger Bowen with David L. Edwards et al, A guide to preaching (SPCK International Study Guide 38, London : SPCK, 2005)
- Poets and God: Chaucer, Shakespeare, Herbert, Milton, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Blake (London: Darton Longman & Todd, 2005)
- What Anglicans believe in the twenty-first century (London: Continuum, 2000, new expanded edn 2002, updated edn 2004)
- The Church that could be (London: SPCK, 2002)
- After death?: past beliefs and real possibilities (London: Continuum, 1999, new edn 2001)
- A concise history of English Christianity: from Roman Britain to the present day (London: Fount, 1998)
- The great Christian centuries to come (Durham: St Mary's College, University of Durham, 1998)
- Christianity: the first two thousand years (London: Cassell, 1997)
- What is Catholicism? An Anglican responds to the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church (London: Mowbray, 1994)