author
Edward Feild
1801–1876
An energetic church leader and educator, he spent more than 30 years shaping Anglican life in Newfoundland. His long, demanding ministry left a deep mark on the region’s schools, churches, and cathedral building.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Worcester, England, in 1801, he was educated at Rugby and Queen’s College, Oxford, and was ordained in the Church of England in 1827. Before leaving for Newfoundland, he worked as a tutor and examiner at Oxford, served as a parish clergyman, and became known for his interest in education and church discipline.
In 1844 he became the second Bishop of Newfoundland, overseeing a huge and difficult diocese that included Newfoundland, Labrador, and Bermuda. He traveled extensively, pushed for stricter church organization and worship, and supported the building of schools, charitable institutions, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s.
His work won admiration for its energy and commitment, though it also brought controversy because of his firm style and strong views. He died in Bermuda in 1876, after decades of service that made him one of the most influential Anglican figures in 19th-century Newfoundland.