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{{Short description|20th-century English Anglican bishop}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
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| alma_mater = [[Exeter College, Oxford]]<br />[[Leeds Clergy School]]
| alma_mater = [[Exeter College, Oxford]]<br />[[Leeds Clergy School]]
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'''Maurice Henry Harland''' (17 April 1896 – 29 September 1986) was a 20th-century Anglican bishop, his most significant appointment being [[Bishop of Durham]] from 1956 to 1966.<ref>''The Times'', Thursday, 19 July 1956; p.&nbsp;6; Issue 53587; col A ''Introduced as Bishop of Durham''</ref>


⚫
'''Maurice Henry Harland''' (17 April 1896 – 29 September 1986) was a 20th-century Anglican bishop, his most significant appointment being [[Bishop of Durham]] from 1956 to 1966.<ref>''The Times'', Thursday, 19 July 1956; p.&nbsp;6; Issue 53587; col A ''Introduced as Bishop of Durham''</ref> He was one of nine Diocesan bishops in England in the 1950s who had served as combatants in the Great War<ref>'What did you do in the Great War, Bishop?' by Tom Scherb in Stand To!, number 99, Western Front Association.</ref>
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==Early life==
Harland was born on 17 April 1896, the son of the Revd William George and Clara Elizabeth Harland and educated at [[St Peter's School, York]].<ref name="ww">{{Who's Who | surname = Harland | othernames = Rt. Rev Maurice Henry | id = U165032 | type = was | volume = 1920–2014 | edition = April 2014 online | accessed = 17 September 2014 }}</ref>


⚫
==Early life==
Harland served in the [[British Army]] during [[World War I]]. He was commissioned into the [[West Yorkshire Regiment]] in 1914 and served in the [[Royal Field Artillery]] until 1916, when he joined the newly formed [[Royal Flying Corps]],{{efn|Afterwards the [[Royal Air Force]]. He was not the only future bishop to serve in this branch: see also [[William Anderson (Bishop of Salisbury)|William Anderson]]}} rising to the rank of [[lieutenant]] by 1919.
Harland was born on 17 April 1896, the son of the Revd William George and Clara Elizabeth Harland and educated at [[St Peter's School, York]].<ref name="ww">{{Who's Who | title=Harland, Rt. Rev Maurice Henry | id = U165032 | type = was | volume = 1920–2014 | edition = April 2014 online | access-date = 17 September 2014 }}</ref> He went straight from school in 1914 as a volunteer to the [[West Yorkshire Regiment]] soon after the [[First World War]] broke out. He joined the [[Royal Field Artillery]] as a lieutenant in France in 1915, and transferred to the [[Royal Flying Corps]] in 1917.<ref>The Times obituary, 1 October 1986. The Times Digital Archive. Accessed 23 July 2012.</ref> He was a Flying Officer Observer from June 1917, then a Flying Officer and from April 1918 a Lieutenant. He was on anti-submarine patrol duties in August 1918, and was with [[No. 212 Squadron RAF]] when he was demobilised in 1919.<ref>TNA AIR76/210/5</ref>


==Marries and begins ministry==
==Marries and begins ministry==
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== Career progresses ==
== Career progresses ==
After five years he was appointed successively [[priest in charge]] of St Anne's Conventional District,<ref>[https://archive.is/20060502182830/http://www.leicester.anglican.org/parishes/xstianitysouth.html Leicester Churches]</ref> [[Perpetual curate|Perpetual Curate]]{{efn|When a new parish was created from a larger rectoral or vicarious parish, the incumbent, or parish priest was styled a “perpetual curate".<ref>''Faith, History and Practice of the Church of England'', Eaton, W.A. (London,Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1954 rpnt 1972 p. 37, {{ISBN|0-340-00718-4}}</ref>}} of St Matthew's [[Holbeck]], [[Leeds]], Vicar of St Mary's, [[Windermere]] and [[Rural Dean]] of [[Ambleside]] before his first posting as [[suffragan bishop]] of [[Bishop of Croydon|Croydon]]<ref>''The Times'', Monday, 27 July 1942; p.&nbsp;6; Issue 49298; col C ''Appointed Bishop of Croydon''</ref> in 1942.<ref>[[Crockford's clerical directory]] (Lambeth, Church House, 1982 {{ISBN|0-19-200010-1}}) &amp; {{Crockford | surname = Harland | forenames = Maurice Henry | id = 22065 | accessed = 22 June 2018}}</ref> In 1947 he was transferred to the [[Episcopal see|See]] of [[Bishop of Lincoln|Lincoln]]<ref>''The Times'', Wednesday, 14 May 1947; p.&nbsp;4; Issue 50760; col C ''Nominated as Bishop of Lincoln''</ref> where he served a further nine years, being appointed to the [[House of Lords]] in 1954. His final appointment was to the more senior Bishopric of Durham.{{efn|In which capacity he was awarded an [[honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Divinity|DD]] in 1956.}}
After five years he was appointed successively [[priest in charge]] of St Anne's Conventional District,<ref>[https://archive.today/20060502182830/http://www.leicester.anglican.org/parishes/xstianitysouth.html Leicester Churches]</ref> [[Perpetual curate|Perpetual Curate]]{{efn|When a new parish was created from a larger rectoral or vicarious parish, the incumbent, or parish priest was styled a “perpetual curate".<ref>''Faith, History and Practice of the Church of England'', Eaton, W.A. (London, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1954 rpnt 1972 p. 37, {{ISBN|0-340-00718-4}}</ref>}} of St Matthew's [[Holbeck]], [[Leeds]], Vicar of St Mary's, [[Windermere]] and [[Rural Dean]] of [[Ambleside]]. Harland's reputation in Windermere was considerable and, with the support of the influential Bishop of Carlisle,<ref>TNA PREM5/262. According to a file note, Bishop Williams was regularly consulted by Churchill on church business and PMs were the key figures in episcopal appointments at that time.</ref> he was considered for the Diocesan bishopric of Blackburn before his appointment as suffragan Bishop of Croydon<ref>Lambeth Palace Library. W. Temple 17</ref> In 1946, Archbishop Fisher named him as his second choice for the vacancy at Bristol but George Cockin (Fisher's third choice) was appointed<ref>Lambeth Palace Library. Fisher 13</ref> In 1947, Fisher pressed the case for Harland to go to Lincoln whose recent bishops had proved fragile in health. Harland, noted Fisher, was physically strong although not a scholar in the Lincoln tradition. Harland, therefore, was surprised to be offered the post.


'I have seen the Archbishop today and he has been so kind as to make it clear that I must accept your proposal to submit my name to the King for the Bishopric of Lincoln', he wrote to the Prime Minister.<ref>TNA PREM5/259</ref>
⚫
Harland was alone amongst the episcopate in opposing the abolition of the death penalty for murder in debate in the House of Lords.

He was even more surprised to be offered Durham in 1956 since traditionally the post had been filled by a scholar who could comfortably blend with the University. The post had been offered to Kenneth Warner DSO, bishop of Edinburgh and, like Harland, a Great War combatant but Warner refused it. Harland wrote again that he had been pressed to accept the post by Archbishop Fisher.<ref>TNA PREM5/473</ref> Harland made no secret of his limitations in a letter to the diocese.

'The announcement of my prospective translation comes as a quite staggering surprise to my wife and me. It fills me with trepidation.' He noted that Durham had a long history of bishops famous 'for saintliness, scholarship and learning. I am afraid I am quite outside that tradition'<ref>University of Durham Library. DDR/DA/PUB/6/16. The Bishoprick, April, 1956</ref>

Harland suffered a curious habit of easily forgetting names which did not endear him to his clergy. But he excelled at being a 'layman's bishop'.<ref>'Memories' you CHG Hopkins, D Brown and Sons, p89</ref> Administratively and managerially competent, and admired for his pastoral work, he was a contrast to his successor, the dynamic, charismatic academic but rather disorderly Ian Ramsey.<ref>'The Improbable Bishop' by John S Peart- Binns, Memoir Club, 2010</ref>

⚫
He was alone amongst the episcopate in opposing the abolition of the death penalty for murder in debate in the House of Lords. This was his conclusion having spent many last nights with condemned men while at Lincoln.


== Retirement ==
== Retirement ==
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{{S-aft|after=[[Ian Ramsey]]}}
{{S-end}}
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{{Bishops of Croydon}}
{{Bishops of Croydon}}
{{Bishops of Lincoln}}
{{Bishops of Lincoln}}
{{Bishops of Durham}}
{{Bishops of Durham}}
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{{Authority control}}

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{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Harland, Maurice Henry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harland, Maurice Henry}}
[[Category:1896 births]]
[[Category:1896 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Anglican bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century Church of England bishops]]
[[Category:Alumni of Exeter College, Oxford]]
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[[Category:Archdeacons of Croydon]]
[[Category:Archdeacons of Croydon]]
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[[Category:People educated at St Peter's School, York]]
[[Category:People educated at St Peter's School, York]]
[[Category:Clergy from York]]
[[Category:Clergy from York]]
[[Category:Royal Artillery officers]]
[[Category:Royal Field Artillery officers]]
[[Category:Royal Flying Corps officers]]
[[Category:Royal Flying Corps officers]]
[[Category:West Yorkshire Regiment officers]]
[[Category:West Yorkshire Regiment officers]]

Latest revision as of 19:50, 31 January 2024

The Right Reverend

Maurice Harland

Bishop of Durham
DioceseDiocese of Durham
In office1956–1966 (retired)
PredecessorMichael Ramsey
SuccessorIan Ramsey
Other post(s)Bishop suffragan of Croydon (1942–1947)
Archdeacon of Croydon (1946–1947)
Bishop of Lincoln (11 July 1947 {confirmed}–7 July 1956 {translated})
Orders
Ordination1922 (deacon)
1923 (priest)
Consecration1942
Personal details
Born(1896-04-17)17 April 1896
Malton, North Riding of Yorkshire
Died29 September 1986(1986-09-29) (aged 90)
Chichester, West Sussex
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam & Elizabeth Harland
SpouseAgnes Harland MBE (née Winckley)
Childrentwo daughters
Professionairman
EducationSt Peter's School, York
Alma materExeter College, Oxford
Leeds Clergy School

Maurice Henry Harland (17 April 1896 – 29 September 1986) was a 20th-century Anglican bishop, his most significant appointment being Bishop of Durham from 1956 to 1966.[1] He was one of nine Diocesan bishops in England in the 1950s who had served as combatants in the Great War[2]

Early life[edit]

Harland was born on 17 April 1896, the son of the Revd William George and Clara Elizabeth Harland and educated at St Peter's School, York.[3] He went straight from school in 1914 as a volunteer to the West Yorkshire Regiment soon after the First World War broke out. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as a lieutenant in France in 1915, and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917.[4] He was a Flying Officer Observer from June 1917, then a Flying Officer and from April 1918 a Lieutenant. He was on anti-submarine patrol duties in August 1918, and was with No. 212 Squadron RAF when he was demobilised in 1919.[5]

Marries and begins ministry[edit]

On demobilisation he went to Exeter College, Oxford,[a] graduating BA in 1922, MA 1927.[b] After a period of study at Leeds Clergy School he became a curate at St Peter's Leicester, during which time he married Agnes Winckley.[c] They had two daughters.

Career progresses[edit]

After five years he was appointed successively priest in charge of St Anne's Conventional District,[6] Perpetual Curate[d] of St Matthew's Holbeck, Leeds, Vicar of St Mary's, Windermere and Rural Dean of Ambleside. Harland's reputation in Windermere was considerable and, with the support of the influential Bishop of Carlisle,[8] he was considered for the Diocesan bishopric of Blackburn before his appointment as suffragan Bishop of Croydon[9] In 1946, Archbishop Fisher named him as his second choice for the vacancy at Bristol but George Cockin (Fisher's third choice) was appointed[10] In 1947, Fisher pressed the case for Harland to go to Lincoln whose recent bishops had proved fragile in health. Harland, noted Fisher, was physically strong although not a scholar in the Lincoln tradition. Harland, therefore, was surprised to be offered the post.

'I have seen the Archbishop today and he has been so kind as to make it clear that I must accept your proposal to submit my name to the King for the Bishopric of Lincoln', he wrote to the Prime Minister.[11]

He was even more surprised to be offered Durham in 1956 since traditionally the post had been filled by a scholar who could comfortably blend with the University. The post had been offered to Kenneth Warner DSO, bishop of Edinburgh and, like Harland, a Great War combatant but Warner refused it. Harland wrote again that he had been pressed to accept the post by Archbishop Fisher.[12] Harland made no secret of his limitations in a letter to the diocese.

'The announcement of my prospective translation comes as a quite staggering surprise to my wife and me. It fills me with trepidation.' He noted that Durham had a long history of bishops famous 'for saintliness, scholarship and learning. I am afraid I am quite outside that tradition'[13]

Harland suffered a curious habit of easily forgetting names which did not endear him to his clergy. But he excelled at being a 'layman's bishop'.[14] Administratively and managerially competent, and admired for his pastoral work, he was a contrast to his successor, the dynamic, charismatic academic but rather disorderly Ian Ramsey.[15]

He was alone amongst the episcopate in opposing the abolition of the death penalty for murder in debate in the House of Lords. This was his conclusion having spent many last nights with condemned men while at Lincoln.

Retirement[edit]

Harland resigned his see in 1966 and retired to West Wittering, living another 20 years before dying on 29 September 1986.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Made Honorary Fellow in 1950
  2. ^ Unlike other universities this is essentially the same degree, a period of time and a small payment securing the higher degree
  3. ^ She was awarded the MBE in 1967
  4. ^ When a new parish was created from a larger rectoral or vicarious parish, the incumbent, or parish priest was styled a “perpetual curate".[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Times, Thursday, 19 July 1956; p. 6; Issue 53587; col A Introduced as Bishop of Durham
  2. ^ 'What did you do in the Great War, Bishop?' by Tom Scherb in Stand To!, number 99, Western Front Association.
  3. ^ "Harland, Rt. Rev Maurice Henry". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 17 September 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ The Times obituary, 1 October 1986. The Times Digital Archive. Accessed 23 July 2012.
  5. ^ TNA AIR76/210/5
  6. ^ Leicester Churches
  7. ^ Faith, History and Practice of the Church of England, Eaton, W.A. (London, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1954 rpnt 1972 p. 37, ISBN 0-340-00718-4
  8. ^ TNA PREM5/262. According to a file note, Bishop Williams was regularly consulted by Churchill on church business and PMs were the key figures in episcopal appointments at that time.
  9. ^ Lambeth Palace Library. W. Temple 17
  10. ^ Lambeth Palace Library. Fisher 13
  11. ^ TNA PREM5/259
  12. ^ TNA PREM5/473
  13. ^ University of Durham Library. DDR/DA/PUB/6/16. The Bishoprick, April, 1956
  14. ^ 'Memories' you CHG Hopkins, D Brown and Sons, p89
  15. ^ 'The Improbable Bishop' by John S Peart- Binns, Memoir Club, 2010
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Croydon
1942–1947 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Lincoln
1947–1956 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Durham
1956–1966 		Succeeded by
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