George Henry Somerset Walpole (9 November 1854 – 4 March 1929), known as Somerset Walpole[1] was an Anglican priest, bishop, teacher and author. After early service in the west of England he moved first to Auckland, New Zealand, and then to New York, before returning to England. After educational work in Durham and pastoral work in London he was elected Bishop of Edinburgh in 1910, and held the post until his death.
A moderate High Churchman, Walpole was well disposed to and trusted by co-religionists of different views. He published more than twenty books on theology and practical religious matters. The eldest of his three children was the novelist Hugh Walpole.
Walpole and his daughter Dorothy arriving in New York aboard Holland-America Line's Noordam in 1915
Walpole's father had been an army officer before taking holy orders, and he envisaged a military career for his son; Walpole was from an early age drawn to the church.[4] He was educated at King's Lynn Grammar School,[4] and then Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a first class degree in theology in 1877.[5] As soon as he left Cambridge he was invited by Bishop Benson to become a tutor at the Scholae Cancellarii, Truro. Benson subsequently ordained Walpole as deacon and then priest.[2] From 1878 Walpole combined the teaching post with that of curate of St Mary's, Truro,[6] and was successively Priest-Vicar and Succentor of the cathedral.[7] In 1880 he suggested to Benson that a carol service should be held on Christmas Eve as a counter-attraction to the public houses. Benson agreed, and drew up an order of service of nine lessons and carols, which was later taken up by cathedrals and parish churches all round the world.[7]
In 1882 Walpole married Mildred Helen (1854–1925), daughter of Charles Foster Barham. They had two sons, the elder of whom was the author Hugh Walpole, and a daughter.[8] Walpole served in Truro until 1882, when he was offered the incumbency of St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Auckland, New Zealand.[2] On Benson's advice he accepted.[9] He held the post concurrently with that of warden of St John's theological college, Auckland.[5]
In May 1910 the clerical and lay electors of the Scottish EpiscopalDiocese of Edinburgh had reached deadlock in their efforts to agree on a successor to Bishop Dowden who had died in office in January.[11] Neither of the two candidates, Provost Skinner Wilson and Canon J G Simpson, could secure a majority, and Wilson withdrew in Walpole's favour. All 34 lay electors and 47 of the 52 clerical electors voted for Walpole;[11] he was consecrated Bishop of Edinburgh on 24 June, but then returned temporarily to Lambeth to complete his duties there. He took up his episcopal office in August.[12]
Among his achievements as bishop was the completion of St Mary's Cathedral by the construction of two new towers.[2]The Times said of him at the time of his election, "He is a moderate High Churchman, as firm in his beliefs as he is cordial towards those who differ from him, and the diocese to which he goes, and which has not been without its disagreements, will find in him a peaceable and unifying influence." After his death the same paper said, "The Bishop was not only beloved in his own Church, but by his charm of personality and his spirituality had won the esteem of many in other communions in Scotland."[2]
Walpole died suddenly on 4 March 1929, at the age of 74.[13] His funeral was at the cathedral; he was buried in the country churchyard of Dalmahoy, East Lothian,[14] alongside his wife who was buried there in 1925.[15]
^ abcd"Walpole, Rt Rev George Henry Somerset", Who Was Who, A & C Black 1920–2008; online edition, Oxford University Press, December 2007, retrieved 15 April 2013 (subscription required)
^"Multiple News Items", The Royal Cornwall Gazette Falmouth Packet, Cornish Weekly News, & General Advertiser, 19 July 1878, p. 4
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