James Walker (bishop)

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The Most Reverend

James Walker
Bishop of Edinburgh
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
ChurchScottish Episcopal Church
Elected10 February 1830
In office1830-1841
PredecessorDaniel Sandford
SuccessorCharles Terrot
Other post(s)Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (1837–1841)
Orders
Ordination5 May 1805
Consecration7 March 1830
by George Gleig
Personal details
Born(1770-01-24)January 24, 1770
DiedMarch 5, 1841(1841-03-05) (aged 71)
Edinburgh, Scotland
BuriedSt John's, Edinburgh
NationalityScottish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsAlexander Walker & Jane Ramsey
SpouseMadeline Erskine
Styles of
James Walker
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Grace

James Walker FRSE (24 January 1770 – 5 March 1841) was an Episcopalian bishop who served as the Bishop of Edinburgh (1830–1841) and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (1837–1841).

Early life and education[edit]

Walker's grave at St John's Edinburgh

He was born in Fraserburgh on 24 January 1770, son of Alexander Walker and Jane Ramsey.[1][2] He was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen from 1785 to 1789, where he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in 1789.[1][2] He continued his education at St John's College, Cambridge, where awarded a Bachelor of Arts in 1793, another Master of Arts in 1796, and a Doctor of Divinity in 1826.[1][2]

Ecclesiastical career[edit]

He was ordained in the Anglican ministry a deacon on 3 April 1793 and a priest on 5 May 1805.[1][2] During that period, he was tutor to Sir John Hope, 11th Baronet, of Craighall, from 1793 to 1805.[1][3] Walker's first pastoral appointment was the Incumbent of St Peter's Church, Edinburgh (1807–29) and Old St Paul's Church, Edinburgh (1821–22).[1] He was also the Dean of Edinburgh (1810–18) and Pantonian Professor of Theology at the Edinburgh Theological College (1824–41).[1]

He was elected Episcopalian Bishop of Edinburgh on 10 February 1830 and consecrated at Stirling on 7 March 1830 by George Gleig, with bishops Jolly, Skinner and Low serving as co-consecrators.[1][4] Walker also administered the sees of Fife, Galloway and Glasgow from 1830 to 1837.[5] Following the resignation of George Gleig in February 1837,[6] he was elected Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church on 24 May 1837.[1]

Walker died in office at 22 Stafford Street, Edinburgh on 5 March 1841, aged 71, and was buried on a south-facing wall in the centre of St John's Churchyard, Edinburgh.[1][7]

Family[edit]

He married Madeline Erskine (1780-1851) on 20 February 1821.[1]

They had twin daughters, Madeline Walker (1822-1912) and Jane Ramsay Walker (1822-1885).[8] Madeline married Henry Coulter Erskine (1820-1897).

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bertie 2000, Scottish Episcopal Clergy, p. 473.
  2. ^ a b c d Gordon 1867, Scotichronicon, volume 2, p. 324.
  3. ^ Gordon 1867, Scotichronicon, volume 2, p. 325.
  4. ^ Gordon 1867, Scotichronicon, volume 2, p. 328.
  5. ^ Bertie 2000, Scottish Episcopal Clergy, pp. 585 and 627.
  6. ^ Bertie 2000, Scottish Episcopal Clergy, p. 270.
  7. ^ Gordon 1867, Scotichronicon, volume 2, p. 330.
  8. ^ Grave of Rev James Walker, St Johns

Bibliography[edit]

  • Bertie, David M. (2000). Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689–2000. Edinburgh: T & T Clark. ISBN 0567087468.
  • Gordon, J. F. S. (1867). Scotichronicon: Comprising Bishop Keith's Catalogue of Scottish Bishops. Vol. 2. Glasgow: John Tweed.
Scottish Episcopal Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Edinburgh
1830–1841
Succeeded by
Preceded by Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
1837–1841
Succeeded by