James Palmer (bishop)

Edwin James Palmer (called James)^[1] was the Bishop of Bombay from 1908 until 1929.^[2] He was born in 1869 into a noted family^[3] and educated at Winchester College and Balliol College, Oxford.^[4] Made deacon in 1896^[5] and ordained priest in 1898,^[6] he was elected a Fellow of his old college^[7] and was Tutor^[8] and Chaplain there until his appointment to the episcopate^[9] where (according to his Times obituary) he was

“moderate in opinion and accommodating in all things except where basic beliefs and principles were involved”.^[10]

He was consecrated a bishop on Ascension Day 1908 (28 May), by Randall Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Southwark Cathedral.^[11] He returned to England in 1929^[12] and became Assistant Bishop of Gloucester until his death.^[4] A prolific author,^[13] in retirement he continued to serve the church^[14] until his death on 28 March 1954 and his extensive papers are preserved for posterity within the Lambeth Palace Library.^[15]

Palmer was the subject of a clerihew which acquired some currency at Oxford:^[16]

"J. A. Smith

Said Christianity was a myth;
When he grew calmer

They sent for Mr Palmer."

References