Dean of St Paul's facts for kids

St Paul's Cathedral, London

The Dean of St Paul's is a very important leader at St Paul's Cathedral in London, England. This person is in charge of the group of senior clergy (church leaders) who help run the cathedral. They are also the special dean for the Order of the British Empire, which is a group of people recognized for their great achievements.

The current Dean of St Paul's is Andrew Tremlett. He started this important role on 25 September 2022.

What Does the Dean Do?

The Dean is like the main leader of St Paul's Cathedral. They make sure everything runs smoothly, from daily services to special events. They work with other church leaders, called the Chapter, to guide the cathedral's spiritual life and its work in the community.

The Dean also has a special role with the Order of the British Empire. This means they are involved in ceremonies and events for people who receive honors from the King or Queen for their contributions to the country.

A Look at Past Deans

Many important people have served as the Dean of St Paul's over hundreds of years. Each dean has helped shape the cathedral and its role in London.

Early Deans

The first deans were appointed a very long time ago, even before the current St Paul's Cathedral was built. Here are a few from the early days:

• 1090–1107 Wulman
• 1111–1138 William de Mareni
• 1180–1199 Ralph de Diceto

Deans Through the Centuries

Over the years, many notable people held the position of Dean. Some were famous writers, thinkers, or important figures in history. For example, John Colet was a dean in the early 1500s who helped start St Paul's School. Later, John Donne, a famous poet, was also a Dean of St Paul's in the 1600s.

Name	Portrait	Term of Office
Alexander Nowell		1560–1602
John Donne		1621–1631
William Sancroft		1664–1678
John Tillotson		1689–1691
Henry Hart Milman		1849–1868
William Ralph Inge		1911–1934
Walter Matthews		1934–1967
Graeme Knowles		2007–2011
David Ison		2012–2022
Andrew Tremlett		2022–present