author
William Connor Magee
1822–1891
An Irish church leader and powerful Victorian speaker, he rose from Cork to become Bishop of Peterborough and, shortly before his death, Archbishop of York. He was remembered as an energetic preacher and public debater whose words carried real force in church and political life.
1 Audiobook
Christianity in relation to Freethought, Scepticism, and Faith Three discourses by the Bishop of Peterborough with special replies by Mr. C. Bradlaugh
by William Connor Magee, Charles Bradlaugh
About the author
Born in Cork in December 1821, William Connor Magee was educated at Trinity College Dublin and came from a family with deep ties to the Church of Ireland. After early clerical work in Dublin and Bath, he built a reputation as an unusually gifted preacher and speaker.
His career took him through several major posts, including rector of Enniskillen, dean of Cork, and then Bishop of Peterborough in 1868. In that role he became well known in Victorian public life, admired for eloquence, quick intelligence, and a strong presence in debate.
In 1891 he was appointed Archbishop of York, one of the senior positions in the Church of England, but he died the same year in London. Even so, his influence lasted well beyond that brief final appointment, and he is still remembered as one of the most striking Anglican churchmen of his time.