Stanley Arthur

Stanley, VERY REV. ARTHUR PENRHYN (1815-81), Dean of Westminster, was born at Alderley, in Cheshire. His father, rector of tbat place, afterwards became Bishop of Norwich, and his uncle was the first Lord Stanley of Alderley. He was first educated at a private school and was sent in 1829 to Rugby, where the famous Dr. Arnold exerclsed great influence over him, an influence which remained with him to the end. After a career of very great distinction at Balliol College, Oxford, he took orders, and in 1840 became a fellow of University College, of which he was tutor for twelve years. In 1844 he published his Life of Arnold, and in the following year was appointed select preacher to the University. His Memoir of Bishop Stanley came out in 1850, and in 1851 he was made Canon of Canterbury. A lengthened tour in the East led to the publication in 1855 of one of his most popular books, Sinai and Palestine. Just previously he had brought out an excellent work, Historical Memorials of Oxford. He held the professorship of ecclesiastical history at Oxford for some time, and among his chief theological works may be named the Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians (1854), Lectures on the Eastern Church (three series, 1862-75), The Athanasian Creed (1871). In 1862 he went to the East with the Prince of Wales, and in 1863 became Dean of Westminster, in which year he also married Lady Augusta Bruce. Her death in 1876 affected him greatly and hastened his own. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. he was an admirable writer and a fearless Broad Churchman, raising some opposition by his pronounced views. He was, however, deeply respected by friends and opponents.