Arthur P. (Arthur Perceval) Purey-Cust

Born on February 21, 1828, Arthur Perceval Purey-Cust was an English clergyman and author who went on to serve as Dean of York for more than three decades, from 1880 until his death in 1916. He is remembered both for his church career and for books connected with York Minster and its history.

Writing as Arthur P. Purey-Cust, he brought an insider’s eye to the cathedral he knew so well. His best-known works include York Minster and The Heraldry of York Minster, books that reflect his interest in architecture, memory, and the people who shaped the Minster across the centuries.

He died on December 23, 1916. For listeners drawn to local history, ecclesiastical history, or the story of great English buildings, his writing offers a clear window into the world of late Victorian and Edwardian York.