John Ireland (Anglican priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Ireland |
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| Dean of Westminster | |
Dean Ireland, engraving by James Stow
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| Church | Church of England |
| In Office | 1816 to 1842 |
| Predecessor | William Vincent |
| Successor | Thomas Turton |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | c. 1783 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1761 |
| Died | 2 September 1842 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | English |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
John Ireland (born September 8, 1761 – died September 2, 1842) was an important English priest. He served as the Dean of Westminster from 1816 until his death. This meant he was in charge of Westminster Abbey, a famous church in London.
One of his special duties was carrying the crown during the coronations of two kings. He did this for King George IV in 1821 and King William IV in 1831. John Ireland was known for being very generous. He used his wealth to help others, especially by supporting education and helping people in need in his hometown.
He gave money to create scholarships at the University of Oxford, a famous university. After he died, he left even more money to Oxford. This helped create a new teaching position called the Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture. A marble statue of him, made by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey, is now displayed at Oxford University.
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Early Life and Education
John Ireland was born in Ashburton, Devon, on September 8, 1761. His father, Thomas Ireland, was a butcher. John first went to the local grammar school in Ashburton.
Later, he went to the University of Oxford. He joined Oriel College in December 1779. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, in June 1783. He continued his studies and later received more advanced degrees from Oxford.
Becoming a Priest
After finishing his first degree, John Ireland became a priest in the Church of England. He worked as a curate (a junior priest) near his hometown for a while. Then, he traveled abroad, acting as a tutor for the son of a important person, Sir James Wright.
From 1793 to 1816, he was the vicar (the main priest) of Croydon, a town south of London. During this time, he also became a chaplain to a powerful politician, Charles Jenkinson.
Serving at Westminster Abbey
In 1802, thanks to the influence of Charles Jenkinson, John Ireland was appointed as a prebend of Westminster Abbey. This was an important position within the Abbey. He continued to rise through the ranks.
By 1806, he became the subdean, which is like a deputy dean. He was also given the job of theological lecturer. This role had existed since the time of Queen Elizabeth I but had not been used for a long time. In this role, he taught students at the nearby Westminster School. He also preached to the House of Commons at St Margaret's Church, Westminster in 1813.
Dean of Westminster
In December 1815, the Dean of Westminster, William Vincent, passed away. John Ireland was chosen to take his place. He officially became the Dean in February 1816. This was a very important position in the Church of England.
As Dean, he also became the Dean of the Order of the Bath, a special British order of chivalry. He was also the rector of Islip, Oxfordshire, a church under the Abbey's control. He held this position from 1816 to 1835.
His role as Dean gave him the special right to carry the crown during royal coronations. He performed this duty for King George IV in 1821 and King William IV in 1831. However, by the time Victoria was crowned in 1838, he was too ill to do it. His deputy took his place. John Ireland remained Dean of Westminster until he died in 1842.
Generosity and Contributions
John Ireland became quite wealthy from his church positions. However, he was known for being very generous with his money. He made many charitable donations during his lifetime.
In 1825, he created four scholarships at Oxford University. These scholarships were meant to help students study classical subjects. He personally paid £4,000 for these scholarships. He also gave £500 to Westminster School to create prizes for Latin poetry.
He donated another £2,000 to his hometown of Ashburton. This money was used to buy a house for the schoolmaster and to help elderly people in the town. When he died, he left more than £20,000 in his will. A large part of this, £10,000, went to Oxford University. This money helped create the important teaching position of Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture. He also left £2,000 to Oriel College, his old college at Oxford.
His Legacy
Historians describe John Ireland as a clergyman from an earlier time who lived to see many changes. He was a friend of William Gifford, a famous writer and editor. Gifford greatly admired Ireland and even tried to get him appointed as a bishop.
John Ireland died at the Deanery in Westminster on September 2, 1842, just before his 81st birthday. He had been unwell since 1838. He was buried in Westminster Abbey on September 8, next to his friend William Gifford. A statue of him, made by John Ternouth, was later placed there. John Ireland's wife, Susannah, had passed away in 1826. They did not have any children.
