William Fuller (bishop) facts for kids

William Fuller (born 1608, died 1675) was an important English church leader. He held several high positions in the church. He became the dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin in 1660. Later, he was made a bishop of Limerick in 1663 and then bishop of Lincoln in 1667. William Fuller was also a good friend to famous people like Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn.

Early Life and Education

William Fuller was born in London. His father, Thomas Fuller, was a merchant. William went to Westminster School for his education. Around 1626, he started studying at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, which is part of Oxford University. He later moved to Edmund Hall and earned a law degree there around 1632. After finishing his studies, he became a chaplain at Christ Church Cathedral. A chaplain is a priest who works in a special place like a school or a hospital.

Career and Challenges

In 1641, King Charles I appointed William Fuller as the rector of a church in London called St. Mary Woolchurch. He also became the rector of Ewhurst in Sussex that same year.

During the English Civil War, when King Charles I was surrounded in Oxford in 1645, Fuller became a chaplain to Lord Lyttelton. The war caused many changes. When the Parliament took control of Oxford University, William Fuller lost his job at Christ Church. During the time when England was a republic (called the Protectorate), he earned a living by running a school in Twickenham with another scholar, William Wyatt.

Friendships and Restoration

William Fuller was good friends with Samuel Pepys, even though Pepys was much younger. Pepys often wrote about Fuller in his famous book, the Diary. Fuller was also a friend of John Evelyn, another well-known diarist.

After the king returned to power in 1660, a time known as the Restoration, Fuller's career in the church began to thrive again. On July 3, 1660, he was appointed the dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. A dean is a senior priest in charge of a cathedral. Pepys wrote in his diary about congratulating Fuller on this new role.

Fuller received more important church jobs in Ireland. He became the treasurer of Christ Church, Dublin, in 1661 and the chancellor of Dromore in 1662.

Becoming a Bishop

William Fuller became the bishop of Limerick on March 20, 1664. This was a very important position. He was allowed to keep his deanery in Dublin for two more years.

In 1661, just six months after he became dean of St. Patrick's, twelve new bishops were appointed in a special ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fuller wrote a special song, an anthem, for this important event.

Even though he was the dean in Dublin, Fuller spent most of his time in England. He cared about his cathedral in Dublin and worked to help repair it.

In 1667, he became the bishop of Lincoln. The bishop's palace in Lincoln had been damaged during the civil wars. So, when he visited Lincoln, he stayed in a large house near the cathedral. He worked hard to repair the cathedral there too. William Fuller passed away in Kensington and was buried at Lincoln Cathedral. He never married.

Music and Poetry

William Fuller wrote several poems that were turned into songs by the famous composer Henry Purcell. One of his most well-known works is the 1688 song An Evening Hymn (Z.193).

Here are the first lines of the poem: Now that the sun has veil'd his Light,
And bid the World good Night;
To the soft Bed my Body I dispose,
But where shall my Soul repose?
Dear God, even in thy Arms, and can there be
Any so sweet Security?
Then to thy Rest, O my Soul, and singing, praise
The Mercy that prolongs thy Days.
Hallelujah.

The first four lines of this poem were also used by the punk band Crass in their song "Mother Earth."