William Cardinal Godfrey

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William Godfrey (25 September 1889 - 22 January 1963) was a Roman Catholic bishop, his highest posting was as Archbishop of Westminster.

Born in Liverpool on 25 September 1889, he was educated at Ushaw College and at the Venerable English College, where he was ordained in 1916, during the First World War. He gained his Doctorate the following year. He then taught at Ushaw for 12 years: Classics, Philosophy and Theology.

In 1930 he was appointed Rector of the College where during the next 8 years he watched Mussolini’s rise to power. He was known affectionately to his students despite his strictness as ‘Uncle Bill.’

In 1938 he became the first Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain, Gibraltar and Malta and he served in this post with such discretion that in 1953, long after the war, he became Archbishop of Liverpool and in 1956 Archbishop of Westminster. He was created Cardinal two years later.

He died in London on 22 January 1963 aged 73.

Religious Posts
Preceded by: Bernard William Cardinal Griffin	Archbishop of Westminster 1956–1963	Succeeded by: John Carmel Heenan