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Portrait of Harry Carpenter

Harry Carpenter

1901 – 1993

Bishop and college head

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About Harry Carpenter

Lived 1901 – 1993 (aged 91). Harry Carpenter was a British anglican priest and bishop.

Harry James Carpenter (20 October 1901 in Liss – 24 May 1993 in Oxford) was an English bishop and theologian. He was warden of Keble College, Oxford (1939–1956) and then 37th Bishop of Oxford (1955 –1970 ).

Carpenter was educated at Churcher's College and Queens' College, Cambridge; and ordained after studying at Cuddesdon College in 1928. His first post was a curacy in Leatherhead.

Carpenter married Urith Monica Trevelyan, a teacher. Their son was the biographer, writer and radio broadcaster, Humphrey Carpenter.

From 1962 to 1970, Carpenter he lived in the village of Cuddesdon, where there had historically been a bishop's palace, but his successors found this impractical and in 1978 the bishops reverted to living within the city. He initiated the ecumenical discussions which eventually resulted in the building of the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes.

There is a parish school named after Carpenter in the Oxfordshire village of North Newington.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Ripon College Cuddesdon, Queens' College, Churcher's College
Positions held
Bishop of Oxford, Bishop
Also known as
Harry James Carpenter, Harry J. Carpenter, Rt. Rev. Harry James Carpenter

People in Harry Carpenter's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Harry Carpenter's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Harry Carpenter?

Bishop and college head

When was Harry Carpenter born?

Harry Carpenter was born on 20 October 1901.

When did Harry Carpenter die?

Harry Carpenter died on 24 May 1993 in Oxford.

What was Harry Carpenter's occupation?

Harry Carpenter was an anglican priest and bishop.

What nationality was Harry Carpenter?

Harry Carpenter was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Harry Carpenter

· Wikidata: Q15989887

· DBpedia: Harry Carpenter (bishop)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harry Carpenter. https://biography.guide/harry-carpenter/

MLA: "Harry Carpenter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harry-carpenter/.

Chicago: "Harry Carpenter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harry-carpenter/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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