Henry Parry Liddon (1829-1890)

Henry Parry Liddon, also known as H.P. Liddon was an English theologian. He was one of Britain’s greatest preachers. He was Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford.

The son of a naval captain he was born at North Stoneham in Hampshire G.B.
he was educated at King’s College school and at Christ Church Oxford. He was first vice-principal at Cuddesdon theological college (1854-9) and then vice-principal at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford.

In 1864 Walter Kerr Hamilton , the bishop of Salisbury, appointed Henry ar as prebendary (canon) of Salisbury Cathedral.

In 1866 he delivered his Bampton Lectures. on the doctrine of the divinity of Christ. His fame as a preacher was established.

Henry was praised for his grasp of subject, clarity and lucidity, use of illustration, vivid imagination, elegance of diction, and sympathy with the intellectual position of those he addressed.

1870 made canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. His preaching attracted 1000s. Sermons normally held in the choir stalls were instead preached under the dome. 3000-4000 used to gather to hear his sermons.

Being dean at Oxford and canon at St. Paul’s gave him extensive influence over the Church of England.

In 1882 he resigned and travelled to Palestine and Egypt. In 1886 returned to St. Paul’s as chancellor. He declined more than one offer of a bishopric.

Henry, with his friend Lewis Carrol, visited Russia to make closer links with the C. of E. and the Russian Orthodox clergy.

Henry died on the 9th of September 1890 at the height of his reputation. He had nearly completed the biography of Edward Bouvirie Pasey, who he admired. (work completed by J. O. Johnson and R. Wilson) after his death.

Henry’s influence during his life was due to his personal fascination and his pulpit oratory rather than his intellect. He was the last, but one,(John Charles Ryle) of the classical pulpit orators of the English church.

He is buried in the chapel of the Order of the British Empire in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Source
wikipedia