William Richard Wood Stephens | |
|---|---|
| Dean of Winchester | |
| In office 1895–1902[1] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1839 |
| Died | 22 December 1902[2] Winchester cathedral Deanery |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Charlotte Jane Hook |
William Richard Wood Stephens (5 October 1839 – 22 December 1902) wasDean of Winchester from 1895 to 1902.[3]
Stephens was born in Gloucestershire in 1839 the youngest son of Charles Stephens, a banker. He was educated privately before proceeding toBalliol College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1862 with a first class inLiterae humaniores.[4]
Ordained deacon in 1864 and a priest in 1865. He started his career with acuracy inStaines. In 1866 he became the curate ofPurley,Berkshire. On 31 August 1869 he married Charlotte Jane Hook, the youngest daughter ofWalter Farquhar Hook, theDean of Chichester.[3] This was the start of long connexion with theChichester Diocese. With Dean Hook's recommendation he became vicar ofMid-Lavant from 1870 to 1873, and lectured atChichester Theological College from 1872 to 1876. In 1875 theBishop of Chichester gave him theprebend of Wittering, in the cathedral, to which a theological lectureship was attached. In 1876 he became theRector ofWoolbeding, near Midhurst. He dedicated his 1876 bookMemorials of the South Saxon See and Cathedral Church of Chichester to the memory of his father in law, who had died the previous year.[5]
In 1880 he was chosen by the clergy of Chichester Diocese as theirproctor in Convocation. Then in 1894, when theDean of Winchester (George Kitchin) becameDean of Durham, Stephens was nominated to replace him as the dean of Winchester. In 1895 he was elevated to theDeanery at Winchester. When he took over it seems that the funds of the chapter were much reduced, and so 'private' resources were needed to support his position. He remained as dean of Winchester until his death.[3][2]
Stephens was known for his philanthropy, spending his own money to have the church atMid Lavant restored. He provided funds for the rebuilding of the chancel atWoolbeding and contributed to the repairs of the roof atWinchester Cathedral. He also spent a lot of time showing visitors around the cathedral and explaining its history. In 1895 he was recognised for his interest in history when he was elected aFellow of the Society of Antiquaries.[3][2]
In 1902 Stephens attended a mayoral banquet, inWinchester, where he consumed a singleoyster. Unfortunately the beds, inEmsworth where the oysters were sourced, had been contaminated with raw sewage. Consequently, many of the guests, including Stephens, contractedfood poisoning.[3][6][7] His death in Winchester deanery, on 22 December 1902, about six weeks after the banquet, was attributed totyphoid fever as a result of eating an infected Emsworth oyster. He was buried in the graveyard of Winchester Cathedral on 27 December 1902.[3][2]
His daughter Cecily Hatherly married inWinchester Cathedral on 27 January 1903 to Rev.Cecil Cooper, who later became Dean of Carlisle.[8]
| Church of England titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Dean of Winchester 1895–1902 | Succeeded by |
