The Right Reverend

David Smith
Bishop of Bradford
DioceseDiocese of Bradford
In office1992–2002
PredecessorRoy Williamson
SuccessorDavid James
Other post(s)Archdeacon of Lindisfarne (1981–1987)
Bishop of Maidstone (1987–1992)
Bishop to the Forces (1990–1992)
Honorary assistant bishop in York and Europe (2002–2024)
Orders
Ordinationc. 1959 (deacon); c. 1960 (priest)
Consecration6 June 1987[1]
Personal details
Born(1935-07-14)14 July 1935
Hertfordshire, England
Died28 January 2024(2024-01-28) (aged 88)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsStanley & Gwendolen Smith
SpouseMary Moult (m. 1961)
ChildrenOne son, one daughter
Alma materKing's College London

David James Smith (14 July 1935 – 28 January 2024)[2] was an Anglican bishop of the Church of England.

Biography

Born in Hertfordshire, he was educated at Hertford Grammar School (now Richard Hale School) and King's College London.[3] He was ordained in 1959.

His first post was as an assistant curate at All Saints' Gosforth,[4] after which he became the assistant curate of St Francis High Heaton. Following this, he was Priest in Charge St Mary Magdalene, Longbenton and then Vicar of Longhirst with Hebron. He next became Vicar of St Mary's Monkseaton.[5] He was subsequently the Rural Dean of Tynemouth and, in 1981, was collated Archdeacon of Lindisfarne. In 1987, he was ordained to the episcopate as Bishop of Maidstone and was translated in 1992 to be the Bishop of Bradford (until 2002).[6] From 1990 to 1992, he was also Bishop to the Forces.

Smith was a member of the House of Lords from 1997 to 2002. In retirement, he continued to serve as an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of York and Diocese of Europe.

Smith was a Fellow of King's College London (FKC) and, in 2001, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (DUniv) from the University of Bradford.

Smith was married to Mary and had a son and a daughter. He died in January 2024, at the age of 88.[7]

References

  1. ^ Diocese in Europe – Prayer Diary, January–June 2014 Archived 2014-04-27 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 27 April 2014)
  2. ^ the Right Reverend David James, Smith
  3. ^ Who’s Who 2008 (London, A & C Black, 2008) ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  4. ^ Church details
  5. ^ Crockford's clerical directory 2008 (London, Church House 2007) ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
  6. ^ Debrett's, People of Today: Ed Ellis,P (London, Debtrett's, 1992) ISBN 1-870520-09-2
  7. ^ "Sad news of the passing of the Rt Revd David Smith, former Bishop of Bradford". The Church of England, Diocese of Leeds. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
Church of England titles Preceded byRobert Hardy Bishop of Maidstone 1987–1992 Succeeded byGavin Reid Preceded byRonald Gordon Bishop to the Forces 1990–1992 Succeeded byJohn Kirkham Preceded byRoy Williamson Bishop of Bradford 1992–2002 Succeeded byDavid James


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