James Turner (bishop)

James Francis Turner (1829 – 27 April 1893^[1]) was the second Bishop of Grafton and Armidale in the 19th century.^[2][3]

Early life and education

Turner was born in Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1829, the son of Lord Justice Sir George James Turner and Louisa Jones.^[4][5][6] He was educated at Charterhouse School, then apprenticed for four years in an architect's office.^[6]

In 1848 he matriculated at Durham University, where he graduated BA in 1851, licence in theology 1852, and MA in 1853.^[4][5] He was ordained deacon in 1852, and priest in 1853, by Edward Maltby.^[4][6]

Clerical career

Chapel of Hatfield College, Durham, designed by Turner

From 1852-54, Turner was chaplain of Bishop Cosin's Hall in the University of Durham, where he also designed the chapel of Hatfield Hall.^[5]

He was curate of Walton, Somerset from 1857, then rector of North Tidworth from 1858, as well as rural dean of Amesbury from 1868.^[6]

He was appointed Bishop of Grafton and Armidale after the first appointed bishop, Collinson Sawyer, drowned shortly after taking up the office.^[7] He was consecrated a bishop on 24 February 1869 in Westminster Abbey, by Archibald Campbell Tait Archbishop of Canterbury, George Selwyn Bishop of New Zealand, and six other prelates.^[4] He was vice-president of the English Church Union, an Anglo-Catholic group.^[5]

In late 1892, he resigned his post due to illness; on his way back to England, he died in Rome, aged 64, and is buried in the Protestant Cemetery, Rome.^[5]