Lionel Berners Cholmondeley
Encyclopedia
Lionel Berners Cholmondeley (1858–1945) was a younger brother of a British peer who became an Anglican minister, rector of St. Barnabas Church at Ushigome
in Shinjuku, Tokyo
(near the central campus of Waseda University
). He was a Christian missionary in Japan and chaplain of the British Embassy in Tokyo. He was also an historian, publishing the first English-language history of the Bonin Islands, which were also known as the Ogasawara Islands
.
and Hugh Cholmondeley, father of Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Viscount Cholmondeley
, from whom the Marquesses of Cholmondeley
descend.
His grandfather was Thomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delamere
. The baron's third son was Henry Pitt Cholmondeley (15 June 1820–14 April 1905) who married Mary Leigh. This union produced nine children; and young Lionel was the couple's second son, born in Adlestrop
in Gloucestershire
.
.
Rev. Cholmondely became a Christian missionary in Japan (1887-1921), arriving in Tokyo under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) to serve with Edward Bickersteth (1850–1897), the first Anglican Bishop of South Tokyo
.
Rev. Cholmondeley was named chaplain to the British Embassy in Tokyo, a position he held until his retirement and return to England in 1922.
Among other changes he observed during these years was the completion of undersea cable connections which ensured telegraph communication between the islands and Japan after 1906.
In 1915, Cholmondeley published The History of the Bonin Islands from the Year 1827 to the Year 1876 which included detailed observations of the changes which evolved after annexation by Meiji
Japan
in 1875.
Ushigome
is the name of a neighborhood in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and a former ward in the now-defunct Tokyo City.-Places named after Ushigome:* Ushigome bridge, adjacent to Iidabashi Station...
in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Shinjuku, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population...
(near the central campus of Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
). He was a Christian missionary in Japan and chaplain of the British Embassy in Tokyo. He was also an historian, publishing the first English-language history of the Bonin Islands, which were also known as the Ogasawara Islands
Ogasawara Islands
The Bonin Islands, known in Japan as the are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands, some directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are part of Ogasawara Municipality of Ogasawara Subprefecture, Tokyo...
.
Early life
Lionel Cholmondeley was descended from a younger brother of Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of LeinsterRobert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Leinster
Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Leinster was an English Royalist and supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War....
and Hugh Cholmondeley, father of Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Viscount Cholmondeley
Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Viscount Cholmondeley
Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Viscount Cholmondeley was an English peer.Cholmondeley was the son of Hugh Cholmondeley and Mary Bodvile. Sir Hugh Cholmondeley of Cholmondeley was his grandfather and Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Leinster, his uncle...
, from whom the Marquesses of Cholmondeley
Marquess of Cholmondeley
Marquess of Cholmondeley is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1815 for George Cholmondeley, 4th Earl of Cholmondeley. Each Marquess of Cholmondeley is a descendant of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain....
descend.
His grandfather was Thomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delamere
Thomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delamere
Thomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delamere was a British peer and Member of Parliament.-Background:He was the son of Thomas Chomondeley , Member of Parliament for Cheshire...
. The baron's third son was Henry Pitt Cholmondeley (15 June 1820–14 April 1905) who married Mary Leigh. This union produced nine children; and young Lionel was the couple's second son, born in Adlestrop
Adlestrop
Adlestrop is a village and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire. It is known as Tedestrop in the Domesday Book.The civil parish also includes the village of Daylesford...
in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
.
Career
Like his elder brother, Lionel Cholmondeley felt called to serve the Church of EnglandChurch 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...
.
Rev. Cholmondely became a Christian missionary in Japan (1887-1921), arriving in Tokyo under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) to serve with Edward Bickersteth (1850–1897), the first Anglican Bishop of South Tokyo
Bishop of South Tokyo
The Bishop of South Tokyo was the title of a bishop of the Anglican Church in Japan.Edward Bickersteth was the Bishop of South Tokyo from 1886 until his premature death. He was born at Banningham, Norfolk, into a noted ecclesiastical family .-External links:****...
.
Rev. Cholmondeley was named chaplain to the British Embassy in Tokyo, a position he held until his retirement and return to England in 1922.
Bonin Islands
Bishop Bickersteth was asked to send a clergyman to visit the English-speaking settlers on the Ogasawara Islands; and in response, he asked Rev. Cholmondely to sail to the islands in 1894. This initial trip was followed by sixteen others during the remainder of Cholmondeley's time in Japan.Among other changes he observed during these years was the completion of undersea cable connections which ensured telegraph communication between the islands and Japan after 1906.
In 1915, Cholmondeley published The History of the Bonin Islands from the Year 1827 to the Year 1876 which included detailed observations of the changes which evolved after annexation by Meiji
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1875.
Chronology
- 1894—1st visit. Rev. Cholmondeley joins Anglican catechist Ishida-san, who had come by previous steamer. This Japanese colleague returned with Cholmondeley to Tokyo.
- 1896—2nd visit. Rev. Cholmondeley joins Cameron Johnson, who was staying there at the time. The School-house built this year by settlers.
- 1897—3rd visit.
Selected works
- 1915 -- The History of the Bonin Islands from the Year 1827 to the Year 1876.] London: Constable & Co. OCLC 4717954
- 1929 -- A book of devotions, compiled from many sources and the growth of many years. London. OCLC 315960899