Robert Lowder Seaborn
Encyclopedia
The Most Reverend Robert Lowder Seaborn (9 July 1911 - 15 February 1993) was the Bishop of Newfoundland
from 1965 until 1980. Born in Toronto
, Ontario
he attended Normal Model School and completed high school at the University of Toronto Schools
. He earned a BA in Classics in 1932 and a degree in Divinity at University of Trinity College
at the University of Toronto
and spent 1936-37 at Oxford University. He was ordained Deacon in 1934, Priest in 1935 and served as Assistant Curate in his initial parish, St. Simon-the-Apostle Church in Toronto
, followed by St. James' Cathedral Toronto
from 1937-41. He then became Rector of St. Peter's in Cobourg, Ontario
(1941-48).
Bishop Seaborn spent a winter training in Debert, Nova Scotia
and then was posted overseas in the spring of 1943. He served as Padre for the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment from 1943-1945 and participated in the D-Day Normandy Landings. As part of that landing he held individual services on all three ships over which the Canadian Scottish Regiment was scattered. He won a Military Cross during the Juno Beach fighting for carrying wounded to safety while under fire. He was awarded the "Croix de Guerre" by the French Government. On July 15, 1944, he appeared in a photograph saying a prayer over a soldier of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division . This photo has appeared many times since in publications related to World War II and served as the basis for a stained glass window located in Ottawa
, Ontario
.
(1948-57), Rector of St. Mary's Kerrisdale Vancouver
, British Columbia
(1957-58), and in both Corner Brook and St. John's
, Newfoundland
. Bishop Seaborn was the 15th Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, serving from 1975 to 1980.
In 1976 he oversaw reorganization of the one Newfoundland diocese into three - the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador with its cathedral at St. John's, the Diocese of Central Newfoundland (Gander) and the Diocese of Western Newfoundland (Corner Brook). This made him the 8th and final Bishop of Newfoundland and the only one to be named Metropolitan of Canada. During the 1960s he was involved in the integration of the Anglican, United Church, Salvation Army, and Presbyterian educational services in Newfoundland . Along with his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Betty), he spearheaded the founding of KillDevil Camp in Gros Morne National Park
in Western Newfoundland
. The camp's central building has since been named Seaborn Lodge.
Bishop Seaborn later returned to Ontario
and served as chancellor of University of Trinity College
at the University of Toronto
from 1982 to 1990 and Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Forces from 1980-1986. Bishop Seaborn died in Cobourg, Ontario
on February 15, 1993. His brother, Blair Seaborn, was a longtime Canadian civil servant and diplomat .
Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador is one of seven dioceses of the ecclesiastical province of Canada.-History:From 1839-1925 the Diocese included Bermuda as well as Newfoundland....
from 1965 until 1980. Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
he attended Normal Model School and completed high school at the University of Toronto Schools
University of Toronto Schools
The University of Toronto Schools is an independent secondary day school affiliated with the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
. He earned a BA in Classics in 1932 and a degree in Divinity at University of Trinity College
University of Trinity College
The University of Trinity College, informally referred to as Trin, is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Trinity was intended by Strachan as a college of strong Anglican alignment, after the University of Toronto severed its ties with the Church of...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and spent 1936-37 at Oxford University. He was ordained Deacon in 1934, Priest in 1935 and served as Assistant Curate in his initial parish, St. Simon-the-Apostle Church in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, followed by St. James' Cathedral Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
from 1937-41. He then became Rector of St. Peter's in Cobourg, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
(1941-48).
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Bishop Seaborn spent a winter training in Debert, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and then was posted overseas in the spring of 1943. He served as Padre for the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment from 1943-1945 and participated in the D-Day Normandy Landings. As part of that landing he held individual services on all three ships over which the Canadian Scottish Regiment was scattered. He won a Military Cross during the Juno Beach fighting for carrying wounded to safety while under fire. He was awarded the "Croix de Guerre" by the French Government. On July 15, 1944, he appeared in a photograph saying a prayer over a soldier of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division . This photo has appeared many times since in publications related to World War II and served as the basis for a stained glass window located in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Post-World War II
Following the war, Bishop Seaborn returned to the Anglican Church of Canada, serving as Dean and Rector of the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec CityQuebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
(1948-57), Rector of St. Mary's Kerrisdale Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
(1957-58), and in both Corner Brook and St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. Bishop Seaborn was the 15th Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, serving from 1975 to 1980.
In 1976 he oversaw reorganization of the one Newfoundland diocese into three - the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador with its cathedral at St. John's, the Diocese of Central Newfoundland (Gander) and the Diocese of Western Newfoundland (Corner Brook). This made him the 8th and final Bishop of Newfoundland and the only one to be named Metropolitan of Canada. During the 1960s he was involved in the integration of the Anglican, United Church, Salvation Army, and Presbyterian educational services in Newfoundland . Along with his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Betty), he spearheaded the founding of KillDevil Camp in Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is a world heritage site located on the west coast of Newfoundland. At , it is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada ....
in Western Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. The camp's central building has since been named Seaborn Lodge.
Bishop Seaborn later returned to Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and served as chancellor of University of Trinity College
University of Trinity College
The University of Trinity College, informally referred to as Trin, is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Trinity was intended by Strachan as a college of strong Anglican alignment, after the University of Toronto severed its ties with the Church of...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
from 1982 to 1990 and Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Forces from 1980-1986. Bishop Seaborn died in Cobourg, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on February 15, 1993. His brother, Blair Seaborn, was a longtime Canadian civil servant and diplomat .
Honorary Degrees
- Montreal Diocesan Theological CollegeMontreal Diocesan Theological CollegeThe Montreal Diocesan Theological College is the theological seminary of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, Canada. It offers the Master of Divinity and Diploma in Ministry to candidates for ordination and other students...
- 1980 - Memorial University - Doctor of Laws - Spring Convocation, May 1972
- Bishop's UniversityBishop's UniversityBishop's University is a predominantly undergraduate university in Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Bishop's is one of three universities in the province of Quebec that teach primarily in the English language...
- Doctor of Civil Laws, 1962