Edward Stanley (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Edward Stanley FRS
(1 January 1779 6 September 1849) was a British clergyman and Bishop of Norwich
between 1837 and 1849.
Born in London
into a notable Cheshire family, Stanley was the second son of Sir John Stanley, 6th Baronet, and the younger brother of John Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley
.
Educated at St John's College, Cambridge
(16th wrangler, 1802), he was ordained in 1802 and three years later became rector of Alderley, Cheshire
, a position he held for the next 32 years. Here he took a great interest in education, and encouraged especially the teaching of secular subjects at his school.
In 1837 he was consecrated Bishop of Norwich
. The diocese at this time was conspicuous for laxity and want of discipline and this he proceeded to remedy, although at first he met with much opposition. Ordination
s and confirmations were held more regularly and frequently, the schools were properly inspected, the Plurality Act (which prohibited the holding of more than one benefice by a clergyman except in certain cases) was enforced and undesirable clergy were removed. He was tolerant towards Dissenter
s and supported all missionary undertakings without regarding their sectarian
associations. In politics he was a Liberal
and devoted himself especially to educational questions.
Stanley's letters, Before and after Waterloo (edited by JH Adeane and M Grenfell, 1907), are full of interest to students of Napoleonic history.
Bishop Stanley was the original Patron of the Ipswich Museum
, and presided at its opening in 1847. An oil portrait is displayed in the Museum.
He is buried in the nave of Norwich cathedral. He had married Catherine, eldest daughter of Oswald Leycester (another notable Cheshire family) in 1810: they had five children, including Owen Stanley
, Arthur Penrhyn Stanley
and Mary Stanley
.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(1 January 1779 6 September 1849) was a British clergyman and Bishop of Norwich
Bishop of Norwich
The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided...
between 1837 and 1849.
Born in 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...
into a notable Cheshire family, Stanley was the second son of Sir John Stanley, 6th Baronet, and the younger brother of John Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley
John Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley
John Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley , known as Sir John Stanley, 7th Baronet, from 1807 to 1839, was a British peer and politician....
.
Educated at St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
(16th wrangler, 1802), he was ordained in 1802 and three years later became rector of Alderley, Cheshire
Alderley, Cheshire
Alderley was one of the eight ancient parishes of the Macclesfield Hundred of Cheshire, England. It included the following townships:*Over Alderley*Nether Alderley*Great Warford...
, a position he held for the next 32 years. Here he took a great interest in education, and encouraged especially the teaching of secular subjects at his school.
In 1837 he was consecrated Bishop of Norwich
Bishop of Norwich
The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided...
. The diocese at this time was conspicuous for laxity and want of discipline and this he proceeded to remedy, although at first he met with much opposition. Ordination
Ordination
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...
s and confirmations were held more regularly and frequently, the schools were properly inspected, the Plurality Act (which prohibited the holding of more than one benefice by a clergyman except in certain cases) was enforced and undesirable clergy were removed. He was tolerant towards Dissenter
Dissenter
The term dissenter , labels one who disagrees in matters of opinion, belief, etc. In the social and religious history of England and Wales, however, it refers particularly to a member of a religious body who has, for one reason or another, separated from the Established Church.Originally, the term...
s and supported all missionary undertakings without regarding their sectarian
Sectarianism
Sectarianism, according to one definition, is bigotry, discrimination or hatred arising from attaching importance to perceived differences between subdivisions within a group, such as between different denominations of a religion, class, regional or factions of a political movement.The ideological...
associations. In politics he was a Liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
and devoted himself especially to educational questions.
Stanley's letters, Before and after Waterloo (edited by JH Adeane and M Grenfell, 1907), are full of interest to students of Napoleonic history.
Bishop Stanley was the original Patron of the Ipswich Museum
Ipswich Museum
Ipswich Museum is a registered museum of culture, history and natural heritage located on High Street in Ipswich, the County Town of the English county of Suffolk...
, and presided at its opening in 1847. An oil portrait is displayed in the Museum.
He is buried in the nave of Norwich cathedral. He had married Catherine, eldest daughter of Oswald Leycester (another notable Cheshire family) in 1810: they had five children, including Owen Stanley
Owen Stanley
Captain Owen Stanley FRS RN was a British Royal Navy officer and surveyor.-Life:Stanley was born in Alderley, Cheshire the son of Edward Stanley, rector of Alderley and later Bishop of Norwich...
, Arthur Penrhyn Stanley
Arthur Penrhyn Stanley
Arthur Penrhyn Stanley was an English churchman, Dean of Westminster, known as Dean Stanley. His position was that of a Broad Churchman and he was the author of works on Church History.-Life and times:...
and Mary Stanley
Mary Stanley
Mary Stanley is known primarily because of her dispute in the Crimea with Florence Nightingale, whose friend she also was.She was born in Alderley, Cheshire the third child of Edward Stanley, later to be the Bishop of Norwich, and sister of Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster and Owen...
.