Philip Wilbraham Baker Wilbraham facts for kids

Sir Philip Wilbraham Baker Wilbraham, 6th Baronet (17 September 1875 – 11 October 1957) was an important British lawyer and administrator. He specialized in ecclesiastical law, which deals with the laws of the Church of England. He held many high-ranking positions within the church's legal system throughout his life. A Baronet is a special title, like a hereditary knighthood, passed down through families.

Early Life and Education

Philip Wilbraham Baker Wilbraham was born at Rode Hall in Cheshire. His father was Sir George Barrington Baker Wilbraham, who was the 5th Baronet. His mother was Katharine Frances Wilbraham. He was also related to Sir George Baker, who was the 1st Baronet.

He went to Harrow School, a famous school in England. After that, he studied at Balliol College, Oxford, which is part of Oxford University. In 1899, he was chosen as a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Being a fellow means he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching or research. In 1901, he married Joyce Christabel Kennaway.

Legal Career

In 1901, Philip Wilbraham Baker Wilbraham became a lawyer. He was "called to the bar" by Lincoln's Inn, which is one of the professional associations for barristers in London. He chose to focus on ecclesiastical law, which are the rules and laws that govern the Church of England.

He became a Chancellor for several church areas, called dioceses. A Chancellor is a senior legal officer who advises the bishop on church law. He was Chancellor of Chester (1913), York (1915), Truro (1923), Chelmsford (1928), and Durham (1929).

In 1934, he took on even more important roles. He became the Dean of the Arches, which is the chief judge of the Church of England's court of appeal. He also became the Master of the Faculties and the Vicar-General for the province of Canterbury. These roles meant he was a very senior legal advisor and administrator for the entire Church of England. He retired from these positions in 1955.

Church Administration and Honors

Beyond his legal work, Wilbraham was also involved in the administration of the Church of England. He was one of the first members of the Church Assembly and served as its first secretary from 1920 to 1939. The Church Assembly was a body that helped manage the church's affairs.

In 1939, he was appointed the First Church Estates Commissioner. This was a very important role where he helped manage the Church of England's property and finances. He retired from this post in 1954. In the same year, he was awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his many years of service. This is a high honor given by the British monarch.