G. F. (George Forrest) Browne

Born in York in 1833, he was educated at St Peter's School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1858, later returned to St Catharine's as a Fellow, and moved through a mix of academic and church posts before rising to national prominence.

His career was unusually wide-ranging. Alongside his work in the church, he became a noted archaeologist and served as Disney Professor of Archaeology at Cambridge from 1887 to 1892. He was later the first Bishop of Stepney and then Bishop of Bristol, serving in Bristol from 1897 to 1914.

He also wrote extensively, including books published after retirement, and had a strong taste for outdoor exploration. An enthusiast for climbing, he served as president of the Alpine Club from 1905 to 1907, and he is still remembered for Ice-Caves of France and Switzerland, a lively travel and scientific work inspired by his visits to alpine caves.