Maurice Harland

Maurice Henry Harland was a 20th-century Anglican bishop, his most significant appointment being Bishop of Durham from 1956 to 1966.^[1]

Early life [edit]

He was born on 17 April 1896, the son of William and Elizabeth Harland and educated at St Peter's School, York.^[2] He was commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1914 and served in the Royal Field Artillery until 1916, when he joined the newly formed Royal Flying Corps,^[3] rising to the rank of lieutenant by 1919.

On demobilisation he went to Exeter College, Oxford,^[4] graduating BA in 1922, MA 1927.^[5] After a period of study at Leeds Clergy School he became a curate at St Peter's Leicester, during which time he married Agnes Winckley.^[6] They had two daughters.

After five years he was appointed successively priest in charge of St Anne's Conventional District,^[7] Perpetual Curate^[8] of St Matthew's Holbeck, Leeds, Vicar of St Mary's, Windermere and Rural Dean of Ambleside before his first posting as suffragan bishop of Croydon^[9] in 1942.^[10] In 1947 he was transferred to the See of Lincoln^[11] where he served a further nine years, being appointed to the House of Lords in 1954. His final appointment was to the more senior Bishopric of Durham.^[12]

Harland resigned his see in 1966 and retired to West Wittering, living another 20 years before dying on 29 September 1986.

^ The Times, Thursday, Jul 19, 1956; p. 6; Issue 53587; col A Introduced as Bishop of Durham
^ Who's Who (UK) (London), A & C Black, 1971 ISBN 0-7136-1140-5
^ Afterwards the Royal Air Force. He was not the only future bishop to serve in this branch: see also the Right Rev William Louis Anderson
^ Made Honorary Fellow in 1950
^ Unlike other universities this is essentially the same degree, a period of time and a small payment securing the higher degree
^ She was awarded the MBE in 1967
^ Leicester Churches
^ When a new parish was created from a larger rectoral or vicarious parish, the incumbent, or parish priest was styled a “perpetual curate". Faith, History and Practice of the Church of England, Eaton, W.A. (London,Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1954 rpnt 1972 p. 37, ISBN 0-340-00718-4
^ The Times, Monday, Jul 27, 1942; p. 6; Issue 49298; col C Appointed Bishop of Croydon
^ Crockford's clerical directory (Lambeth, Church House,1982 ISBN 0-19-200010-1)
^ The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1947; p. 4; Issue 50760; col C Nominated as Bishop of Lincoln
^ in which capacity he was awarded an honorary DD in 1956.

Church of England titles
Preceded by William Anderson	Bishop of Croydon 1942–1947	Succeeded by Cuthbert Bardsley
Preceded by Leslie Owen	Bishop of Lincoln 1947–1956	Succeeded by Kenneth Riches
Preceded by Michael Ramsey	Bishop of Durham 1956–1966	Succeeded by Ian Ramsey