William Bacon Stevens
Encyclopedia
The Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens (July 13, 1815 – June 11, 1887) was the fourth Bishop
of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Born on July 13, 1815, Stevens was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover and later studied medicine
at Dartmouth College
and the Medical College of South Carolina. After practicing medicine in Savannah, Georgia
for five years, he served state historian of Georgia
and at that time he began to study for the priesthood of the Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon on February 28, 1843 and later to the priesthood on January 7, 1844. He briefly served as professor of moral philosophy at the University of Georgia
prior to being called as the rector of St. Andrew's Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
in 1848. He received the Doctor of Divinity
degree from the University of Pennsylvania
and was later elected assistant bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. He was consecrated on January 2, 1862 at St. Andrew's Church. Upon the death of The Rt. Rev'd Alonzo Potter in 1865, he become Bishop of Pennsylvania. He served in that office and as bishop of the American Episcopal churches in Europe until his death in 1887.
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...
of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Born on July 13, 1815, Stevens was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover and later studied medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
and the Medical College of South Carolina. After practicing medicine in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
for five years, he served state historian of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and at that time he began to study for the priesthood of the Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon on February 28, 1843 and later to the priesthood on January 7, 1844. He briefly served as professor of moral philosophy at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
prior to being called as the rector of St. Andrew's Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1848. He received the 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....
degree from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
and was later elected assistant bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. He was consecrated on January 2, 1862 at St. Andrew's Church. Upon the death of The Rt. Rev'd Alonzo Potter in 1865, he become Bishop of Pennsylvania. He served in that office and as bishop of the American Episcopal churches in Europe until his death in 1887.