James Turner (bishop)

James Francis Turner (1829 – 27 April 1893^[1][2]) was the second Bishop of Grafton and Armidale^[3] in the 19th century.^[4]

Turner was born in Yarmouth^[5] Norfolk, in 1829,^[6] educated at Durham University where he graduated BA in 1851 and MA in 1853. He received a by diploma in 1868.^[5] He was ordained deacon in 1852, and priest in 1853.^[5][7] He was Chaplain of Bishop Cosin's Hall, Durham^[8] and then held incumbencies at Canons Ashby and North Tidworth before his ordination to the episcopate.^[9] In February 1869 Turner was consecrated Bishop of Grafton and Armidale, in Westminster Abbey, by Archbishop Tait of Canterbury, Bishop George Selwyn of New Zealand, and six other prelates.^[5]

On 10 September 1869 he was formally enthroned in his Cathedral-Designate: St Peters Armidale. This legally triggered three events: 1. He formally became the first Bishop of Grafton and Armidale, 2. The Diocese of Grafton and Armidale formally came into being, and 3. St Peter's Armidale formally became a Cathedral.

For further information on Bishop James Turner, see: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/turner-james-francis-4761

Turner died in Rome, Italy, on his way to England, on 27 April 1893.^[1]

Notes

1. Aubrey, Keith H. "Turner, James Francis (1829–1893)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
2. The Times, Monday, Jan 01, 1894; pg. 14; Issue 34149; col A Obituary For 1893
3. The Sydney Morning Herald. - Aug 6, 1887
4. Armidale Tourism
5. Mennell, Philip (1892). " Turner, Right Rev. James Francis". The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co. Wikisource 
6. Pitt Rivers Museum
7. "The Clergy List, Clerical Guide and Ecclesiastical Directory" London, Hamilton & Co 1889
8. Later merged with University College
9. ”The Story of The Anglican Church in Australia” Symonds, E. London, SPCK, 1898