George Pretyman Tomline facts for kids
George Pretyman Tomline's family name was originally Pretyman. He added "Tomline" to his name in 1803.
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Sir George Pretyman Tomline Bt FRS |
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| Bishop of Winchester | |
Pretyman Tomline robed as Garter Prelate.
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| Diocese | Diocese of Winchester |
| In Office | 1820–1827 |
| Predecessor | Brownlow North |
| Successor | Charles Sumner |
| Other posts | Private secretary to the Prime Minister (1783–1787) Dean of St Paul's (1787–1820) Bishop of Lincoln (1787–1820) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1774 (deacon); 1776 (priest) |
| Consecration | c. 1787 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | George Pretyman |
| Born | 9 October 1750 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Great Britain |
| Died | 14 November 1827 (aged 77) Wimborne, Dorset, United Kingdom |
| Buried | Winchester Cathedral |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Residence | Kingston Hall, near Wimborne (at death) |
| Parents | George Pretyman and Susan Hubbard |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Maltby (m. 1784-2026; her death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | theologian |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College, Cambridge |
Sir George Pretyman Tomline (born George Pretyman; 9 October 1750 – 14 November 1827) was an important English clergyman and thinker. He served as a Bishop in the Church of England, first in Lincoln and later in Winchester. He was also a close friend and advisor to William Pitt the Younger, who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Pretyman was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. His family had been important landowners and wool merchants in the area for a long time. His father, also named George Pretyman, and his mother, Susan Hubbard, raised him.
George went to Bury St Edmunds Grammar School. Later, he studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was a brilliant student, graduating in 1772 with top honors in mathematics. He became a fellow at Pembroke College in 1773.
Becoming a Clergyman
He decided to become a clergyman. He was ordained as a deacon in 1774 and as a priest in 1776. This meant he could perform religious services and lead a church.
Friendship with William Pitt
In 1773, William Pitt the Younger came to Pembroke College at just 14 years old. Pretyman became his teacher and soon, a close friend and trusted advisor. When Pitt ran for Member of Parliament in 1780, Pretyman supported him.
In 1783, Pitt became the Prime Minister of Great Britain. After Pitt won the general election in 1784, he made Pretyman his private secretary. Pretyman used his strong math skills to help Pitt with important financial plans for the country.
In 1784, Pretyman married Elizabeth Maltby. They had a good relationship, and he often asked for her advice on church and political matters. In 1785, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group for top scientists.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1787, Prime Minister Pitt appointed Pretyman to be the Bishop of Lincoln. This was a very important position in the church. The King, George III, was at first unsure because Pretyman was quite young for such a role.
Pretyman also became the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London. He was officially made a bishop in a special ceremony on March 11, 1787.
Working with Pitt and Political Views
Even as a bishop, Pretyman stayed close to Pitt. He shared similar political ideas, often called "Whig" views. He believed in certain freedoms and changes for the country.
He continued to advise Pitt on money matters and church plans. Pretyman was against Catholic emancipation. This was a movement to give Catholics more rights in a country where the official church was the Church of England. When Pitt resigned in 1801 over this issue, Pretyman was not happy.
In 1803, George Pretyman inherited a lot of property from a distant relative, Marmaduke Tomline. Because of this, he officially changed his name to Tomline.
Later Appointments
When Pitt returned as Prime Minister in 1804, he wanted Tomline to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. This is the most senior bishop in the Church of England. However, the King had already decided on someone else.
In 1813, Tomline was offered the position of Bishop of London, but he turned it down. He felt the duties would be too much for him. Finally, in 1820, he became the Bishop of Winchester, another very important role.
Family and Legacy
Sir George Pretyman Tomline passed away in 1827 at Kingston Hall. He was a very wealthy man. He was buried in Winchester Cathedral, where a monument was built in his honor.
He and his wife had three sons:
- William Edward Tomline (1787–1836) became a Member of Parliament.
- George-Thomas Tomline became a high-ranking official at Lincoln Cathedral.
- Richard Tomline also became a church official at Lincoln.
His Published Works
Tomline wrote several important books:
- Elements of Christian Theology (1799): This book was written to help people who wanted to become priests.
- A Refutation of Calvinism (1803): This was a book where he argued against certain religious ideas. It caused a lot of discussion among religious scholars.
- Memoir of the Life of the Right Honorable William Pitt (1821): This book told the story of his friend, Prime Minister William Pitt.
Personality and Influence
Tomline was a very good administrator for his church areas. He visited his churches often to make sure everything was running well.
Even though he seemed serious in public, he was a loving family man. He was also friendly when he was with people he knew well. He was respected by many, even those who had different opinions.
Honors and Achievements
George Pretyman Tomline received many honors during his life:
- He became a Canon of Westminster Abbey in 1784.
- He received a special degree, Doctor of Divinity, from Cambridge University in 1784.
- He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1785.
- In 1823, his claim to an old noble title was confirmed. He became Sir George Pretyman Tomline, 5th Baronet.
Images for kids
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Memorial in Winchester Cathedral
