Deans of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
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St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Saint Patrick's Cathedral , or more formally, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Patrick is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Dublin, Ireland which was founded in 1191. The Church has designated it as The National Cathedral of Ireland...
, elected by the Chapter of the cathedral. The office was created in 1219 or 1220, by one of several charters granted to the cathedral by Archbishop Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres was an Anglo-Norman churchman who was Archbishop of Dublin, from 1213 to 1228. He was an influential figure in the reign of John of England, an administrator and loyalist to the king, and is mentioned in the text of the Magna Carta, the terms of which he helped to negotiate.He...
between 1218 and 1220.
For centuries, the Dean of St. Patrick's was the only Dean in Dublin, and documents of those years often refer to him as the Dean of Dublin - but from around 1539, there was also the office of Dean of Christ Church Cathedral
Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin is the senior official of that church, the cathedral of the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland, and head of the Chapter, its governing body...
, which had been a Priory, headed by a Prior and Canons.
Election
The right to elect the Dean of St. Patrick's is vested exclusively in the Chapter of the Cathedral (though pre-1870, there could be an exception where a vacancy occurred due to promotion of the Dean to the office of a Bishop), and has been defended against monarchs and even the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
. The Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
has one of the 28 seats (the Dean plus 3 other dignities plus 24 canons), used only at the time of election, but no other special authority.
Holders of the office of Dean
The following have served as deans (where they are known to have previously held office at the cathedral, this is noted):Pre-Reformation
- 1219-c.1238 - William FitzGuido, first Dean, appointed by Archbishop Henry de Loundres
- c.1238-c.1250 - Richard Gardiner
- c.1250-1275 - Richard de St. Martin, a sitting prebendary
- 1275-1284 - John de Saunford, Franciscan, Prebendary of Howth; later Archbishop of Dublin (his brother had earlier held that office)
- 1284-1311 - Thomas de Chaddesworth or Chadsworth, Chancellor
- 1311-c.1338 - William Rodyard, Treasurer; later, first Chancellor of the first University authorised for Dublin
- c.1338-1347 - Thomas de Montpelier, Prebendary of Lusk
- 1347-1349 - Adan de Kingston (?)
- 1349-1350 - Matthew Brissele
- 1350-1353 - John de Brienne
- 1353-1374 - William de Bromley, Prebendary of Lusk; also Chancellor of the Exchequer, Treasurer of Ireland and Keeper of the Great Seal
- 1374-1382 - John ColtonJohn Colton (archbishop)John Colton was a leading statesman and cleric in fourteenth century Ireland, who held the offices of Treasurer of Ireland, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh. He is chiefly remembered today for his book The Visitation of Derry .- Early career :He was born at Terrington St...
; became Archbishop of Armagh in 1382 - 1382-1391 - Henry Bowett, papal chaplain; became Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1401 and was Archbishop of York from 1407-1423
- 1391-1401 - Thomas de Everdon, a sitting prebendary; Keeper of the Rolls for Ireland.
In this period, the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
attempted to assume the power to appoint the Dean, nominating one Landulph, Cardinal of St. Nicholas. The King of England resisted this, and it was eventually conceded that the Chapter alone could choose the Dean - but see the 1401 appointment.
- 1401-1428 - John Prene, appointed by Pope Boniface IX in breach of the Chapter's right of election but confirmed by the King in London after the dispute on rights was settled.
- 1428-1457 - Nicholas Hill, Archeacon of Dublin
- 1457-1466 - Philip Norris, Prebendary of Yagoe; excommunicated by the Pope for attacks on mendicant friars
- 1466-1506 - John Alleyne, Precentor
- 1506-1522 - Thomas RochfortThomas RochfortThomas Rochfort was a distinguished Irish judge and cleric who held the offices of Solicitor General for Ireland, Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin....
, Precentor - 1522-1527 - John Rycardes
- 1527-1528 - Robert SuttonRobert SuttonRobert Sutton may refer to:*Robert Sutton, 1st Baron Lexinton , Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire in 1625 and again in 1640*Robert Sutton, 2nd Baron Lexinton , English diplomat...
, Archdeacon of Dublin - 1528-1529 - Thomas D'Arcy, Prebendary of Howth; Master of the Rolls
- 1529-1537 - Geoffrey Fyche, Treasurer
Post-Reformation to Disestablishment
The Reformation took effect in Ireland following a hiatus in the office of Archbishop of Dublin after the death of Archbishop Alen in 1534, and the election of George BrowneGeorge Browne (archbishop of Dublin)
George Browne D.D. was an English Augustinian who was appointed by Henry VIII of England to the vacant Episcopal see of Dublin. He became the king's main instrument in his desire to establish the state church in the Kingdom of Ireland.-Life:...
to that office by the Chapters of both Cathedrals under pressure from King Henry VIII.
- 1537-1547 - Edward Bassenet, a sitting prebendary, for whose election pressure was exerted by the State, Archbishop George Browne writing to the King that the Chapter had elected him "only in respect of your Grace's desire"
From 1547 to 1555, St. Patrick's was suppressed as a Foundation, reduced to the status of a parish church, without its Chapter or Dean - the Dean and other senior officials being pensioned off by the King.
- 1555-1560 - Thomas Leverous, appointed by Queen Mary, formerly tutor to the powerful FitzGerald family; became Bishop of KildareBishop of KildareThe Bishop of Kildare was an episcopal title which took its name after the town of Kildare in County Kildare, Ireland. The title is no longer in use by any of the main Christian churches having been united with other bishoprics. In the Roman Catholic Church, the title has been merged with that of...
, and was one of the two Irish Bishops to refuse to take the Oath of Supremacy, after which he ran a school in Adare - 1560-1565 - Alexander Craike, Prebendary of Clonmethan; became Bishop of Kildare
- 1565-1567 - Adam LoftusAdam Loftus (Archbishop)thumb|right|200px|Archbishop Adam LoftusAdam Loftus was Archbishop of Armagh, and later Dublin, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1581. He was also the first Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.-Early life:...
, also Archbishop of Armagh, then resigned to become Archbishop of Dublin; later first Provost of Trinity College Dublin; died 1605 - 1567-1573 - Robert WestonRobert WestonRobert Weston , was Dean of the Arches and Lord Chancellor of Ireland in the time of Queen Elizabeth.Weston was the third son of John Weston of Lichfield and his wife Cicely Neville, sister of Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland. He entered All Souls, Oxford and was elected Fellow in 1536...
, a layman, also Chancellor of Ireland and Dean of Wells - 1573-1581 - Sir William GerardSir William GerardSir William Gerard was an Elizabethan statesman with a distinguished record of service in England, Wales and Ireland. He sat in the House of Commons for Chester for many years, and was Vice-President of the Council of Wales and the Marches...
, a layman and also Chancellor of Ireland (a contemporary wrote that he "confessed how greatly he had been tormented in conscience with keeping the deanery" - 1581-1585 - Thomas JonesThomas Jones (Archbishop)Thomas Jones was Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was also Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Bishop of Meath and the patrilineal ancestor of the Viscounts Ranelagh....
, Chancellor; later Bishop of MeathBishop of MeathThe Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
and then Archbishop of DublinArchbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland... - 1585-1597 - Richard MeredythRichard Meredith (bishop)Richard Meredith was the Church of Ireland Bishop of Leighlin from 1589 until his death.-Life:...
, who became Bishop of LeighlinBishop of LeighlinThe Bishop of Leighlin was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the small town of Old Leighlin in County Carlow, Ireland.The title is now united with other bishoprics. In the Church of Ireland, it is held by the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, whose full title is the Bishop of Cashel,... - 1597-1608 - John RyderJohn Rider (bishop)John Ryder was a Latin lexicographer who published the first English-Latin Dictionary, in which the English language took precedent. A favourite of Elizabeth I, he was Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, and the Anglican Bishop of Killaloe....
, who became Bishop of Killaloe - 1608-1625 - Thomas Moigne, Prebendary of Monmohenock; became Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh
- 1625-1649 - Benjamin Culme, Prebendary of Mulhuddart
1649-1660 - office vacant during period of Parliamentary governance; a Robert Chambers was appointed "Reader at St. Patrick's" following Dean Culme's retirement
- 1660-1666 - William FullerWilliam Fuller (bishop)William Fuller was an English churchman.He was dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin , bishop of Limerick , and bishop of Lincoln . He was also the friend of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn.-Life:...
, who became Bishop of LimerickBishop of LimerickThe Bishop of Limerick is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Limerick in the Province of Munster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it still continues as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The diocese of...
and later of Bishop of LincolnBishop of LincolnThe Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
, and who composed an anthem for the Restoration in Ireland, celebrated on 27 January 1660 with the consecration at the cathedral of twelve bishops - 1666 - 1675 - Thomas Seele, Chancellor; Fellow, and later Provost, of Trinity College Dublin
- 1675-1678 - Benjamin ParryBenjamin ParryBenjamin Parry was Church of Ireland Bishop of Ossory from 27 January 1678 until his death later the same year.-Life:Parry was born in February 1634 in Dublin, the son of Edward Parry and Miss Price...
, Prebendary of Castleknock; became Bishop of OssoryBishop of OssoryThe Bishop of Ossory is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient of Kingdom of Ossory in the Province of Leinster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The diocese of Ossory... - 1678-1689 - John Worth, Chancellor
- 1689-1691 - William KingWilliam KingWilliam King may refer to:*Bill King, , American radio announcer*Billy King , Irish cricketer*Willie King , blues guitarist and singer...
, Chancellor, became Bishop of Derry, later Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Justice; (1650-1729) - 1691-1694 - Michael Jephson, previously Chancellor of Christ Church Cathedral
- 1694-1696 - Thomas LindsayThomas Lindsay (archbishop)Thomas Lindsay , D.D., B.D., M.A was an Anglican clergyman who served in the Church of Ireland as the Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Bishop of Killaloe, Bishop of Raphoe and finally Archbishop of Armagh....
, became Bishop of Killaloe, Bishop of RaphoeBishop of RaphoeThe Bishop of Raphoe is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Raphoe in County Donegal, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
, and then Archbishop of ArmaghArchbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland)The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh is the ecclesiastical head of the Church of Ireland, the metropolitan of the Province of Armagh and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Armagh.... - 1696-1699- Edward Smyth, Fellow of Trinity College Dublin and Chaplain to King William III; became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dublin and later Bishop of Down and ConnorBishop of Down and ConnorThe Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland...
- 1699-1705 - Jerome Ryves, previously Chancellor of Christ Church Cathedral
- 1705-1713 - John StearneJohn StearneJohn Stearne was an associate of Matthew Hopkins, a witchhunter active during the English Civil War. Stearne was known at various times as the witch–hunter, and "witch pricker". A family man and land owner from Lawshall near Bury St Edmunds, Stearne was 10 years older than Hopkins. He met...
, Chancellor, rebuilt Dean's house in 1713; became Bishop of Dromore, and later of Clogher, and appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dublin in 1721 - 1713-1745 - Jonathan SwiftJonathan SwiftJonathan Swift was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer , poet and cleric who became Dean of St...
, Prebendary of Dunlavin, the famous writer - 1745-1747 - Gabriel James Maturin, Prebendary of Mulhuddart
- 1747-1775 - Francis Corbet, Treasurer
- 1775-1794 - William Cradock, Prebendary of St. Audoen'sSt. Audoen's ChurchSt. Audoen's Church is the church of the parish of St. Audoen in the Church of Ireland, located south of the River Liffey at Cornmarket in Dublin, Ireland. This was close to the centre of the medieval city. The parish is in the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. St. Audoen's is the oldest parish...
- 1794 - Robert Fowler, later (1813), Bishop of Ossory
- 1794-1810 - James Verschoyle, previously a Minor Canon, Vicar-Choral, Prebendary, Archdeacon of Glendalough and Precentor; later, Bishop of Killala and AchonryBishop of Killala and AchonryThe Bishop of Killala and Achonry was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Killala and Achonry in the Ecclesiastical Province of Tuam. The diocese comprised part of Counties Mayo and Sligo in Ireland....
- 1810-1818 - John William Keatinge, last Chaplain to the Irish House of Commons
- 1818-1828 - Richard Ponsonby, Precentor; later Bishop of Killaloe, then of Derry
- 1828-1842 - Henry Richard Dawson, oversaw both some renovation of the building, and reorganisation of worship
- 1842-1842 - Robert DalyRobert DalyRobert Daly may refer to:*Robert A. Daly, Corporate Executive of Warner Bros., Warner Music Group, The Los Angeles Dodgers and CBS*Robert Daly , Irish track and field sprinter*Robert Daly -See also:*Robert Daley, American author...
, Prebendary of Stagonil; election subsequently contested; later Bishop of Cashel - 1843-1864 - Henry Pakenham
Note that from 1846 to 1872, the office of Dean of Christ Church was united to that of Dean of St. Patrick's.
- 1864-1889 - John WestJohn WestThe Rev. John West emigrated from England to Van Diemen's Land in 1838 as a Colonial missionary, and became pastor of an Independent Chapel in Launceston's St. John's Square in 1839. His contribution to Launceston and Australian life was great and varied promoting private and charitable...
, Archdeacon of Dublin
Post-Disestablishment
- 1889-1901 - Henry JellettHenry Jellett (senior)Henry Jellett was an Irish Anglican priest. He was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in the Church of Ireland from 1889 to 1901.Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he was Chaplain to the Bishop of Cork and later Archdeacon of Glandore before his elevation to the Deanery...
, Predbendary of Tymothan and Archdeacon of Cloyne - 1902-1911 - John Henry BernardJohn Henry BernardThe Right Reverend John Henry Bernard PC , was an Irish clergyman.Bernard was born in Raniganj, India. He was Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin from 1902 to 1911, Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin from 1911 to 1915 and Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin from 1915 to 1919.A prolific...
, Treasurer, later Bishop of Ossory, then Archbishop of Dublin and Provost of Trinity College, Dublin - 1911-1924 - Charles Thomas OvendenCharles Thomas OvendenCharles Thomas Ovenden was an Irish Anglican priest and author. He was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in the Church of Ireland in the first quarter of the 20th century....
, Prebendary of Monmohenock - 1924-1933 - Hugh Jackson LawlorHugh Jackson LawlorHugh Jackson Lawlor was an Irish Anglican priest and author. He was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in the Church of Ireland in the first half of the 20th century....
, formerly Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Trinity College, Dublin - 1933-1935 - Thomas Arnold Harvey, later Bishop of Cashel
- 1935-1950 - David Frederick Ruddell WilsonDavid Frederick Ruddell WilsonDavid Frederick Ruddell Wilson was an Irish Anglican priest and hymnist. He was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in the Church of Ireland in the second quarter of the 20th century....
- 1950-1968 - William Cecil De PauleyWilliam Cecil De PauleyWilliam Cecil de Pauley was a Church of Ireland bishop and author in the 20th century.De Pauley was born in Portrush and educated at the Coleraine Academical Institution and Trinity College, Dublin. He was a curate at Enniscorthy and Booterstown before becomingProfessor of Systematic Theology at...
- 1958-1968 - John Ward ArmstrongJohn Ward ArmstrongJohn Ward Armstrong was an Irish Anglican bishop. He was the Archbishop of Armagh from 1980 to 1986 having previously been the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory from 1968 to 1980 and the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin from 1958 to 1968.Armstrong was born in Belfast and educated at the Belfast...
, later Archbishop of Armagh - 1969-1991 - Victor Gilbert Benjamin GriffinVictor GriffinThe Very Reverend Victor Gilbert Benjamin Griffin , is a Church of Ireland priest, theologian and author. He served as Dean of St...
- 1991-1999 - Maurice Evan Stewart
- 1999-present - Robert MacCarthyRobert MacCarthyThe Very Revd Dr Robert MacCarthy is Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.Born in 1940, Dean MacCarthy was educated at St. Columba's College in Rathfarnham, Dublin. He continued his studies in Trinity College Dublin, St John's College Cambridge, Trinity College, Oxford and Cuddesdon...
, (current dean at August 2007)
Sources
- London, G. Bell and Sons, 1924: St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin; Bernard, J.H., former Dean of St. Patrick's, later Provost of Trinity College Dublin and Archbishop of Dublin