Charles Longley

Charles Longley
George Richmond · Public domain · source
Name	Charles Longley
Birth date	1794
Death date	1868
Predecessor	John Bird Sumner
Successor	Archibald Campbell Tait

Charles Longley was a prominent figure in the Church of England, serving as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1862 until his death in 1868. He was a close associate of John Keble, Edward Pusey, and John Henry Newman, and played a significant role in the Oxford Movement. Longley's tenure as Archbishop was marked by significant events, including the Lambeth Conference and the Synod of Colombo. He was also a strong supporter of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and the Church Missionary Society.

● Early Life and Education

Charles Longley was born in 1794 in Rochester, Kent, to a family with strong connections to the Church of England. He was educated at Harvard University and later at Oriel College, Oxford, where he studied alongside John Keble and Edward Pusey. Longley's time at Oxford was influenced by the Oxford Movement, a theological movement that emphasized the importance of Anglo-Catholicism and the Book of Common Prayer. He was also influenced by the writings of Richard Hooker and Lancelot Andrewes. After completing his education, Longley was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Rochester and later became a priest in the Diocese of Lincoln.

● Career

Longley's career in the Church of England spanned several decades and included appointments as the Bishop of Ripon, Bishop of Durham, and Bishop of York. He was a strong supporter of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Longley was also a member of the Royal Commission on the State of the Church and played a key role in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. He was a close friend and advisor to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Queen Victoria, and was often called upon to provide guidance on matters related to the Church of England. Longley's career was also influenced by his relationships with other prominent figures, including William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli, and Robert Peel.

● Archbishop of Canterbury

As Archbishop of Canterbury, Longley played a significant role in shaping the Church of England and its relationships with other Anglican churches. He was a strong supporter of the Lambeth Conference, which brought together bishops from around the world to discuss issues related to the Anglican Communion. Longley was also a key figure in the Synod of Colombo, which aimed to establish a unified Anglican presence in Ceylon. He was a close friend and advisor to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and was often called upon to provide guidance on matters related to the Church of England. Longley's tenure as Archbishop was also marked by significant events, including the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

● Legacy

Charles Longley's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his significant contributions to the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. He was a strong supporter of the Oxford Movement and played a key role in shaping the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Longley was also a pioneer in the field of ecumenism, working to establish relationships between the Church of England and other Christian denominations. He was a close friend and advisor to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and was often called upon to provide guidance on matters related to the Church of England. Longley's legacy is also reflected in the work of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and the Church Missionary Society, which he supported throughout his career.

● Personal Life

Charles Longley was married to Caroline Sophia Parnell, and the couple had several children together. He was a close friend and advisor to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and was often called upon to provide guidance on matters related to the Church of England. Longley was also a strong supporter of the Royal Family and played a key role in the coronation of Queen Victoria. He was a member of the Privy Council and was awarded several honors, including the Order of the Bath and the Order of the Star of India. Longley died in 1868 and was buried in Addington, Surrey, near the Archbishop's Palace at Croydon. Category:Archbishops of Canterbury