Samuel Wilberforce (1805–73) was a British cleric, an Anglican prelate and educator, and a defender of orthodoxy, who typified the ideal bishop of the Victorian era. He was a significant figure in preserving the Oxford Movement, which sought to reintroduce 17th-century High Church ideals into the Church of England.
Born in Clapham, London, Wilberforce was the third son of philanthropist and reformer William Wilberforce. In 1826, Samuel Wilberforce graduated from Oriel College, Oxford, and was ordained in 1828. In 1830 he became rector of Brights tone, Isle of Wight, in 1840, rector of Alverstoke, canon of Winchester and chaplain to Albert, the Prince Consort, and in 1845 Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Oxford.
Known as “Soapy Sam,” Wilberforce was one of the most outstanding public speakers of his day. Wilberforce took part in the controversies of the Renn Hampden, Gorham, Essay and Reviews, and John Colenso cases. Instrumental in reviving the Convocations of Canterbury and York (1852,) he instituted Cuddesdon Theological College (1854.) Wilberforce is also remembered for his opposition to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution at a debate in 1860.
Wilberforce edited Letters and Journals of Henry Martyn (1837,) wrote with his brother, Robert, the life of his father (William Wilberforce; 1838,) and himself wrote Agathos (1839,) Rocky Island (1840) and History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America (1844.)
Wilberforce was Bishop of Winchester from 1869; he was killed by a fall from his horse.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Samuel Wilberforce
If anyone were to be willing to trace his descent through an ape as his grandfather, would he be willing to trace his descent similarly on the side of his grandmother?
—Samuel Wilberforce
Topics: Perspective
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