Edward Henry Bickersteth
Encyclopedia
Edward Henry Bickersteth, January 25, 1825, Islington
- May 16, 1906 was a bishop
in the Church of England
.
Edward Henry Bickersteth was the son of Edward Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Hertfordshire. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge
, where he graduated B.A. in 1847, and was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal
for poetry in 1844, 1845 and 1846.
On taking Holy Orders
in 1848, he became curate
of Banningham
, Norfolk
, and then of Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells. He was called to the Rectory
of Hinton Martell
in 1852 and to the Vicarage of Christ Church, Hampstead
in 1855. In 1885 he became Dean of Gloucester and in the same year Bishop of Exeter
.
He edited hymnal
s and was an accomplished poet
. Beginning with a volume of poems in 1849, he published extensively. His Hymnal Companion called forth from Dr. Julian
, editor of A Dictionary of Hymnology, these high words of praise: "Of its kind and from its theological standpoint, as an evangelical hymn book, it is in poetic grace, literary excellence, and lyric beauty, the finest collection in the Anglican Church;" and the author's contributions to this volume are pronounced "very beautiful and of much value."
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
- May 16, 1906 was a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
Edward Henry Bickersteth was the son of Edward Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Hertfordshire. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, where he graduated B.A. in 1847, and was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal
Chancellor's Gold Medal
The Chancellor's Gold Medal is a prestigious annual award at Cambridge University for poetry, paralleling Oxford University's Newdigate prize. It was first presented by Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh during his time as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge...
for poetry in 1844, 1845 and 1846.
On taking Holy Orders
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
in 1848, he 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 Banningham
Banningham
Banningham is a village within the civil parish of Colby in the English county of Norfolk.The village is 2.9 miles north east of Aylsham, 14.7 miles west north of Norwich and 129 miles north east of London. The nearest railway station is at North Walsham Railway station where the Bittern Line from...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, and then of Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells. He was called to the Rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
of Hinton Martell
Hinton Martell
Hinton Martell is a village in east Dorset, England, three miles north of Wimborne Minster. The village has a population of 368 ....
in 1852 and to the Vicarage of Christ Church, 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...
in 1855. In 1885 he became Dean of Gloucester and in the same year Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
.
He edited hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...
s and was an accomplished poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. Beginning with a volume of poems in 1849, he published extensively. His Hymnal Companion called forth from Dr. Julian
John D. Julian
John Julian was a clergyman and the editor of A Dictionary of Hymnologywhich remains a common reference for those studying hymnody and hymnology....
, editor of A Dictionary of Hymnology, these high words of praise: "Of its kind and from its theological standpoint, as an evangelical hymn book, it is in poetic grace, literary excellence, and lyric beauty, the finest collection in the Anglican Church;" and the author's contributions to this volume are pronounced "very beautiful and of much value."