William Gowan Todd facts for kids

William Gowan Todd (born 1820, died 1877) was a writer and a church leader in the 1800s. Later in his life, he started and ran St. Mary's Orphanage in Blackheath, England. He passed away there on July 24, 1877.

William Todd's Early Life

William Todd was born in 1820 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Charles Hawkes Todd, was a doctor and led the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. His mother was Elizabeth Bentley. William was one of fifteen children in his family. His brothers included James Henthorn Todd, Robert Bentley Todd, and Armstrong Todd.

In 1831, a serious sickness called Asiatic cholera spread across Ireland. This disease caused many deaths. Over 5,600 people died in Dublin alone. William and his mother, Elizabeth, also became very sick but thankfully survived.

William Todd's Work and Faith

William Todd became a priest in the Church of Ireland. With help from his brother, James Henthorn Todd, William wrote and published two books:

• The Church of St. Patrick: A Historical Inquiry into the Independence of the Ancient Church of Ireland (published in 1844)
• A History of the Ancient Church of Ireland (published in 1845)

William studied at Trinity College in Dublin. Around 1845, he decided to leave the Anglican Church. He then joined the Roman Catholic Church. This change was influenced by John Henry Newman, a friend of his oldest brother. Newman was part of a group called the Oxford Movement.

Why William Changed Churches

John Henry Newman wrote a paper called "Tract 90." In this paper, Newman argued that the Church of England was more like the Catholic Church than the Protestant Church. William agreed with these ideas. His decision to join the Roman Catholic Church caused some disagreement among his family. However, his older brother James also had similar thoughts about the church.

Becoming a Catholic Priest

After joining the Catholic Church, William moved to Rome. He continued his studies there to become a Doctor of Divinity. He then became a Roman Catholic priest. His work as a priest led him to help people in the poorest areas of London. He also worked in the Blackheath area of London. His brothers, Dr. Robert Bentley Todd and Dr. Armstrong Todd, worked nearby.

Starting St. Mary's Orphanage

Around 1857, William Gowan Todd started St. Mary's Orphanage for Boys. He did this under the guidance of the Bishop of Southwark. The orphanage was located at Park House in Blackheath, London. Boys usually came to the orphanage between the ages of 6 and 12. They stayed there until they were 14 or 15 years old.

The Very Reverend William Gowan Todd passed away at St. Mary's Orphanage. He was 57 years old when he died on July 24, 1877. He was buried a few days later, on July 27, 1877, in Lewisham, London, England.