Edward Stanley

Edward Stanley FRS (1 January 1779 – 6 September 1849) was an English clergyman who served as Bishop of Norwich between 1837 and 1849. He set about combating laxity and want of discipline among the clergy.

Born in London into a notable Cheshire family, Stanley was the second son of Sir John Stanley, 6th Baronet, and the younger brother of John Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley.

Educated at St John's College, Cambridge (16th wrangler, 1802), he was ordained in 1802 and three years later became rector of Alderley, Cheshire, a position he held for the next 32 years.[1] While there he took a great interest in education, and encouraged especially the teaching of secular subjects at his school.

Edward Stanley died in 1849 and was buried in the nave of Norwich cathedral. He had married Catherine, eldest daughter of Oswald Leycester (another notable Cheshire family) in 1810. They had five children, including Owen Stanley, Arthur Penrhyn Stanley and Mary Stanley.

He was succeeded by Samuel Hinds, an Anglo-Catholic with strong associations with the Maoris of New Zealand, notably the Ngati Kuri and Te Patu tribes.