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William Macquarie Cowper (known in his youth as Macquarie; 3 July 1810 – 14 June 1902) was an Australian
Anglican archdeacon and
Dean of Sydney.
Cowper was born in Sydney, the son of the Revd
William Cowper
William Cowper ( ; 26 November 1731 – 25 April 1800) was an English poet and Anglican hymnwriter. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th-century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and sce ...
, assistant colonial chaplain, and his second wife, Ann (née Barrell) . Educated by his father and at the
University of Oxford
, mottoeng = The Lord is my light
, established =
, endowment = £6.1 billion (including colleges) (2019)
, budget = £2.145 billion (2019–20)
, chancellor ...
, he graduated BA from
Magdalen Hall
Hertford College ( ), previously known as Magdalen Hall, is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It is located on Catte Street in the centre of Oxford, directly opposite the main gate to the Bodleian Library. The colle ...
in 1833 and MA in 1835. Following admission to
deacon´s order, he was appointed
curate of St Petrox,
Dartmouth, and ordained
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...
at
Exeter in 1834.
He returned to Australia in 1836 and was made chaplain at
Port Stephens,
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
where he remained for 20 years. He then became Acting Principal of
Moore Theological College, Sydney, for a few months after the college opened at Liverpool on 1 March 1856, following which he became incumbent of St. John´s,
Bishopthorpe
Bishopthorpe is a village and civil parish three miles south of York in the City of York unitary authority area and ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. Bishopthorpe is close to the River Ouse, and has a population of 3,174, in ...
.
In 1858 Cowper succeeded his father at
St Philip's Church, Sydney. Later the same year he was appointed Archdeacon and Dean of Sydney. In 1869 he left St Philip¨s for the cathedral parish, which he occupied until his death.
He several times acted as commissary for bishops
Frederic Barker
Frederic Barker (17 March 1808 – 6 April 1882) was the second Anglican bishop of Sydney.
Early life
Barker was born at Baslow, Derbyshire, England, fifth son of the Rev. John Barker and his wife Jane, née Whyte. He was educated at The ...
and
Alfred Barry
Alfred Barry (15 January 18261 April 1910) was the third Bishop of Sydney serving 1884–1889. Over the course of his career, Barry served as headmaster of independent schools, Principal of King's College London university and founded Angl ...
during their absences in England. In 1896 he was chosen
Fellow
A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context.
In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Within the context of higher education ...
of the
Australian College of Theology
The Australian College of Theology (ACT) is an Australian higher education provider based in Sydney, New South Wales. The college delivers awards in ministry and theology and was one of the first Australian non-university providers to offer an ...
. He was admired for his piety and kindliness.
He published ''Episcopate of the Right Reverend Frederic Barker, D.D.'' in 1888 and his autobiography, ''The Autobiography and Reminiscences of William Macquarie Cowper'', was published soon after his death.
Cowper died, aged 91, at the Deanery in Sydney on 14 June 1902,
and was buried at St Jude's cemetery, Randwick.
He was married twice and was survived by his children.
References
* K. J. Cable
Cowper, William Macquarie (1810 - 1902) ''
Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Volume 3,
MUP, 1969, pp. 480–482.
*
* Peter G. Bolt, William Cowper (1778-1858). The Indispensable Parson. The Life and Influence of Australia's First Parish Clergyman (Camperdown, NSW: Bolt Publishing Services, 2009).
*
External links
Parish Church of St Philip, Sydney
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowper, William Macquarie
1810 births
1902 deaths
Deans of Sydney
Anglican archdeacons in Australia
Academic staff of Moore Theological College
Alumni of Magdalen Hall, Oxford