Francis Kerril Amherst

Francis Kerril Amherst T.O.S.D., (21 March 1819, London – 21 August 1883) was an English Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton in England.

Life Francis Amherst was born in Marylebone, London 21 March 1819. He was the eldest son of William Kerril Amherst, of Little Parndon, Essex, and of Mary Louisa Turville-Fortescue, of Bosworth Hall, Leicestershire. One or both of his parents hailed from recusant families. One of his sisters became a Benedictine nun, another joined the order of Providence. His brother William joined the Jesuits.

Amherst was sent to study at Oscott College in 1830 with the intention of preparing for the Catholic priesthood, but after completing his studies, he left St. Mary's to study engineering in Belgium. He returned to Oscott, however, in 1841, to do theological studies. Nicholas Wiseman was the president of the college, and the following year Amherst accompanied Bishop Wiseman on a trip to Rome. He was ordained a priest by Wiseman on 6 June 1846.