Thomas Dampier

Thomas Dampier (1748 – 13 May 1812) served as Bishop of Rochester and Bishop of Ely.


Thomas Dampier
Bishop of Ely
ChurchChurch of England
DioceseDiocese of Ely
Elected1808
Term ended1812 (death)
PredecessorJames Yorke
SuccessorBowyer Sparke
Other postsBishop of Rochester
(1802–1809)
Dean of Rochester
(1782–1802)
Orders
Consecrationc. 1802
Personal details
Born1748
Died(1812-05-13)13 May 1812
Ely House, London
DenominationAnglican
ResidenceEly House, London
ParentsDr Thomas Dampier
SpouseElizabeth Sleech
EducationEton College
Alma materKing's College, Cambridge

Life

Memorial to Bishop Thomas Dampier in Ely Cathedral

He was eldest son of Dr Thomas Dampier, who was lower master at Eton College and from 1774 Dean of Durham.[1] He was educated at Eton College, and in 1766 elected to King's College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. 1771, M.A. 1774, D.D. 1780.[2] After taking his degree he resided for some time at Eton as private tutor to the Earl of Guilford, holding at the same time the vicarage of Bexley in Kent, while a few years later he succeeded to the mastership of Sherburn Hospital, which his father obtained leave to resign in his favour.

In 1782 he was promoted to the deanery of Rochester, and in 1802 to the bishopric of that diocese. As bishop of Rochester he proposed an address from the clergy thanking the crown for requiring an undertaking from the ministry not to move in the matter of Catholic emancipation. The bishopric of Rochester was a poor one, and it was in his case, for the first time for some years past, separated from the deanery of Westminster. Dampier therefore looked for fresh promotion, and in 1808 was translated to Ely. He died suddenly on the evening of 13 May 1812 at Ely House in London. Dampier published several sermons.

He was known for his love of literature, and for the library and collection of prints which he accumulated throughout his life. He left a bibliophile's account in Latin, the manuscript of which was extensively used by Thomas Frognall Dibdin in compiling his Aedes Althorpianae. His library was sold by his half-brother (lawyer Sir Henry) and widow to the Duke of Devonshire at a valuation amounting to nearly £10,000.

References

Attribution

Church of England titles
Preceded by
Richard Cust
Dean of Rochester
1782–1802
Succeeded by
Samuel Goodenough
Preceded by
Samuel Horsley
Bishop of Rochester
1802–1809
Succeeded by
Walker King
Preceded by
James Yorke
Bishop of Ely
1808–1812
Succeeded by
Bowyer Sparke
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