Rowan Douglas Williams

Rowan Douglas Williams - Leaders, Timeline and Childhood

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Rowan Douglas Williams's Personal Details

Rowan Douglas Williams is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian

InformationDetail
BirthdayJune 14, 1950
NationalityBritish
FamousPhilanthropists, Oxford University, Theologians, Leaders, Spiritual & Religious Leaders
SpousesJane Williams
Known asRowan Williams
ChildrensPip, Rhiannon
Universities
  • Oxford University
Notable Alumnis
  • Oxford University
Birth PlaceSwansea, Wales
GenderMale
FatherAneurin Williams
MotherDelphine née Morris
Sun SignGemini
Born inSwansea, Wales
Famous asTheologian

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Who is Rowan Douglas Williams?

Rowan Douglas Williams is an Anglican Bishop and theologian. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and was previously Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. Rowan’s interest in and involvement with social issues is longstanding and became quite noticeable when he appointed a special commission to address the controversial issue of consecration of homosexual individuals that threatened to divide the Anglican Communion. The commission also investigated how he could more effectively implement his moral authority over the communion of churches. Rowan faced further controversy when he proposed the adoption of Shariah or Islamic laws by the English legal system, to promote unity. He reasoned that Muslims residing in England might be at ease, while pursuing financial or marital issues in a Shariah court than in a secular court. Rowan was a fellow of the British Academy and has published collections of many articles, sermons and poems which have reflected his thoughts on religion, spirituality and other issues.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born to Aneurin Williams and Delphine nee Morris who were Presbyterians converted into Anglicans. At the age of 2, he contracted a rare form of meningitis which left him with a limp and permanent deafness in his left ear.

In 1953, his family moved to Cardiff and he began his formal education at Lamorna, a fee-paying primary school, before the family returned to Swansea in 1960 where he attended Dynevor Grammar School for eight years.

Later, he enrolled at University of Cambridge to study Theology at Christ’s College. Thereafter, he went to Wadham College, University of Oxford, where he received his doctorate of Philosophy in 1975.

Career

After receiving his doctorate, he lectured at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, for two years. In 1977, he returned to his alma mater, Cambridge to teach theology at Westcott House, having been ordained deacon in Ely Cathedral. In the year 1978, he was made the priest there.

In 1980, he served as curate at St. George’s Chesterton. After three years, he was appointed as a lecturer in divinity in Cambridge University, and the following year he became dean and chaplain of Clare College. In 1986, he was appointed to the Lady Margaret professorship of divinity at Oxford University and Canon of Christ Church.

In 1989, he was awarded the degree of doctor of divinity and became a fellow of the British Academy the following year.

In 1991, he was elected as the bishop of Monmouth, a diocese on the Welsh borders, and was consecrated the following year. He served there as a bishop for seven consecutive years.

In 1999, he was elected as Archbishop of Wales, one of the 38 primates of the Anglican Communion, after the retirement of Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones.

In 2002, he was announced as the 104th bishop of the See of Canterbury as the successor to George Carey. He was the first Welsh successor to St. Augustine of Canterbury and the first since the mid-thirteenth century to be appointed from outside the English Church. On 27 February, 2003, he was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In 2005, he was appointed as the first chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University followed by his role as Visitor at King’s College, London, the University of Kent and Keble College, Oxford.

In 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in divinity by Cambridge University. In the following year, he received a joint doctorate of divinity degree by Trinity College and Wycliffe College associated with the University of Toronto.

In late 2012, he stepped down as the archbishop of Canterbury and continued his services as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Major Works

He has written a number of important and influential books including, ‘The wound of knowledge’ (1979), ‘Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter gospel’ (1982), ‘Eucharistic sacrifice: The roots of a metaphor’ (1982), ‘Peacemaking theology’ (1984), ‘Teresa of Avila’ (1991), ‘Christ on trial’ (2000), ‘The poems of Rowan Williams’ (2002), ‘Anglican identities’ (2004), ‘Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another’ (2007) etc.

In 1985, being a member of the left-wing Anglo-Catholic Jubilee group, he collaborated with father Kenneth Leech in several publications including the anthology of essays to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Assize Sermon entitled ‘Essays: Catholic and Radical’ in 1983.

Awards & Achievements

In 2002, he gained the membership of Privy Council of the United Kingdom. In the following year, he gained the fellowship of Royal Society of Literature, a senior literary organization in Britain.

In 2004, he received the knight grand cross of the Royal Order of Francis I. In 2010, he became the founding member of Learned Society of Wales for his distinguished contribution of knowledge in his professional field.

In 2012, he received a Royal Victorian Chain, representing a personal token of high distinction and esteem from the Monarch. In the same year, he received one of the highest civilian awards of Pakistan, ‘Sitara-e-Pakistan’ for his public services to Pakistan.

In 2013, he received a life peerage as Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the city and county of Swansea.

Personal Life

In July, 1981, he married a writer and theologian Jane Williams with whom he has two children, a daughter named Rhiannon and a son named Pip. Following her husband’s retirement, she is entitled to the title of Lady Williams of Oystermouth.

Trivia

In April, 2008, he was called for ‘urgent meditation’ over Zimbabwe’s election results.

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Rowan Douglas Williams biography timelines

  • // 14th Jun 1950
    He was born to Aneurin Williams and Delphine nee Morris who were Presbyterians converted into Anglicans. At the age of 2, he contracted a rare form of meningitis which left him with a limp and permanent deafness in his left ear.
  • // 1953 To 1960
    In 1953, his family moved to Cardiff and he began his formal education at Lamorna, a fee-paying primary school, before the family returned to Swansea in 1960 where he attended Dynevor Grammar School for eight years.
  • // 1975 To 1978
    After receiving his doctorate, he lectured at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, for two years. In 1977, he returned to his alma mater, Cambridge to teach theology at Westcott House, having been ordained deacon in Ely Cathedral. In the year 1978, he was made the priest there.
  • // 1979 To 2007
    He has written a number of important and influential books including, ‘The wound of knowledge’ (1979), ‘Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter gospel’ (1982), ‘Eucharistic sacrifice: The roots of a metaphor’ (1982), ‘Peacemaking theology’ (1984), ‘Teresa of Avila’ (1991), ‘Christ on trial’ (2000), ‘The poems of Rowan Williams’ (2002), ‘Anglican identities’ (2004), ‘Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another’ (2007) etc.
  • // 1980 To 1986
    In 1980, he served as curate at St. George’s Chesterton. After three years, he was appointed as a lecturer in divinity in Cambridge University, and the following year he became dean and chaplain of Clare College. In 1986, he was appointed to the Lady Margaret professorship of divinity at Oxford University and Canon of Christ Church.
  • // 1981
    In July, 1981, he married a writer and theologian Jane Williams with whom he has two children, a daughter named Rhiannon and a son named Pip. Following her husband’s retirement, she is entitled to the title of Lady Williams of Oystermouth.
  • // 1985
    In 1985, being a member of the left-wing Anglo-Catholic Jubilee group, he collaborated with father Kenneth Leech in several publications including the anthology of essays to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Assize Sermon entitled ‘Essays: Catholic and Radical’ in 1983.
  • // 1989
    In 1989, he was awarded the degree of doctor of divinity and became a fellow of the British Academy the following year.
  • // 1991
    In 1991, he was elected as the bishop of Monmouth, a diocese on the Welsh borders, and was consecrated the following year. He served there as a bishop for seven consecutive years.
  • // 1999
    In 1999, he was elected as Archbishop of Wales, one of the 38 primates of the Anglican Communion, after the retirement of Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones.
  • // 2002 To 2003
    In 2002, he was announced as the 104th bishop of the See of Canterbury as the successor to George Carey. He was the first Welsh successor to St. Augustine of Canterbury and the first since the mid-thirteenth century to be appointed from outside the English Church. On 27 February, 2003, he was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • // 2002
    In 2002, he gained the membership of Privy Council of the United Kingdom. In the following year, he gained the fellowship of Royal Society of Literature, a senior literary organization in Britain.
  • // 2004 To 2010
    In 2004, he received the knight grand cross of the Royal Order of Francis I. In 2010, he became the founding member of Learned Society of Wales for his distinguished contribution of knowledge in his professional field.
  • // 2005
    In 2005, he was appointed as the first chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University followed by his role as Visitor at King’s College, London, the University of Kent and Keble College, Oxford.
  • // 2006
    In 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in divinity by Cambridge University. In the following year, he received a joint doctorate of divinity degree by Trinity College and Wycliffe College associated with the University of Toronto.
  • // Apr 2008
    In April, 2008, he was called for ‘urgent meditation’ over Zimbabwe’s election results.
  • // 2012
    In late 2012, he stepped down as the archbishop of Canterbury and continued his services as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
  • // 2012
    In 2012, he received a Royal Victorian Chain, representing a personal token of high distinction and esteem from the Monarch. In the same year, he received one of the highest civilian awards of Pakistan, ‘Sitara-e-Pakistan’ for his public services to Pakistan.
  • // 2013
    In 2013, he received a life peerage as Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the city and county of Swansea.

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Rowan Douglas Williams's FAQ

  • What is Rowan Douglas Williams birthday?

    Rowan Douglas Williams was born at 1950-06-14

  • Where is Rowan Douglas Williams's birth place?

    Rowan Douglas Williams was born in Swansea, Wales

  • What is Rowan Douglas Williams nationalities?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's nationalities is British

  • Who is Rowan Douglas Williams spouses?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's spouses is Jane Williams

  • Who is Rowan Douglas Williams childrens?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's childrens is Pip, Rhiannon

  • What was Rowan Douglas Williams universities?

    Rowan Douglas Williams studied at Oxford University

  • What was Rowan Douglas Williams notable alumnis?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's notable alumnis is Oxford University

  • Who is Rowan Douglas Williams's father?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's father is Aneurin Williams

  • Who is Rowan Douglas Williams's mother?

    Rowan Douglas Williams's mother is Delphine née Morris

  • What is Rowan Douglas Williams's sun sign?

    Rowan Douglas Williams is Gemini

  • How famous is Rowan Douglas Williams?

    Rowan Douglas Williams is famouse as Theologian