Francis Kerril Amherst (21 March 1819, London – 21 August 1883) was Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton [1]
He was the eldest son of William Kerril Amherst, of Little Parndon, Essex and Mary Louisa, daughter of Francis Fortescue Turville, of Bosworth Hall, Leicestershire. One or both of his parents hailed from recusant families.
He was sent to Oscott College in 1830, and after eight years left it with no intention of entering the priesthood. He returned to Oscott, however, in 1841, and was ordained priest by Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman on 6 June 1846. Shortly after, he joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic but returned to Oscott once more, in 1855, to be professor.
After eleven months in this position he was appointed to the mission of Stafford, and thence, on Bishop William Wareing's resignation, to the See of Northampton. He was consecrated 4 July, 1858. He was appointed Assistant at the Pontifical Throne 8 June, 1862. He resigned his see in 1879, owing to ill health, and the following year was translated to the Titular See of Sozusa.
He died at his residence, Fieldgate, Kenilworth, Warwickshire on 21 August 1883, aged 64.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.