James Prince Lee

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James Prince Lee (July 28, 1804 – December 24, 1869) was an English clergyman, the first bishop of Manchester.

Born in London, he was educated at St Paul's School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he displayed exceptional ability as a classical scholar. After taking orders in 1830 he served under Thomas Arnold at Rugby School, and in 1838 was appointed head of King Edward's School, Birmingham, where he had among his pupils E.W. Benson, J.B. Lightfoot and B.F. Westcott. In 1848 Lord John Russell nominated him as first bishop of the newly-constituted Anglican Diocese of Manchester.

Lee's schoolmasterly manner was an irritation to his clergy. However, he carried out great work in church extension. During his twenty-one years' tenure of the see, he consecrated 130 churches. He took a foremost part in founding the Manchester free library, and bequeathed his own valuable collection of books to Owens College. His memorial sermon was preached by Archbishop E.W. Benson and was published with biographical details by J.F. Wickenden and others.

[edit] Reference

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Religious Posts
Preceded by: New Creation	Bishop of Manchester 1848–1869	Succeeded by: James Fraser