John Buckner

John Buckner ( 12 June 1734 – 1 May 1824) was an Anglican clergyman who served in the Church of England as the Bishop of Chichester from 1797 to 1824.

Early life Buckner was born at Goodwood House, Sussex He was the elder son of Richard Buckner (died 1777), steward to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, and his wife Mary Saunders (died 1772). His younger brother Charles Buckner became an Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Bishop Buckner's 1824 obituary in the London Magazine noted that he and his brother Charles had "owed their advancement in life" to a close relationship with the Dukes of Richmond. Indeed, it was speculated in a 2011 article that their father Richard might have been an illegitimate son of the 1st Duke of Richmond, himself an illegitimate son of King Charles II. Traditional sources though hold that Richard Buckner was an immigrant from Westphalia.

The Duke of Richmond nominated John Buckner to a foundation scholarship at Charterhouse School at the age of 12, giving him access to a free education. He matriculated at Clare College, Cambridge in 1751, graduating B.A. 1755, M.A. 1765; he additionally received a Lambeth LL.D. in 1787. He was ordained a deacon in 1756 and a priest in 1758.

Career

He held the following positions: Prebendary of Eartham, 1771–1797 Vicar of Westhampnett, Sussex, 1768 Vicar of Eartham, Sussex, 1771 Vicar of Boxgrove, Sussex, 1772 Rector of St Giles-in-the-Fields, London, 1788 Rector of Newdigate, Surrey, 1788 Archdeacon of Chichester, 1792–1797 Bishop of Chichester, 1797–1824 The two did not have any children.