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William Selwyn

1879 – 1951

British bishop

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About William Selwyn

Lived 1879 – 1951 (aged 72). William Selwyn was an anglican priest.

William Marshall Selwyn (15 February 1879 – 29 September 1951) was an Anglican suffragan bishop in the 20th century.

Selwyn was born into an ecclesiastical family, the second son of the Reverend Sydney Augustus Selwyn, of Boscombe vicarage, Bournemouth, and Ellen Blake. He was educated at Haileybury and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, before beginning his ordained ministry as a curate at All Saints' South Lambeth.

He was Chaplain of the London Irish Rifles from 1912 to 1917, a period that involved World War I, and was interviewed early in 1918 for a commission as a Temporary Chaplain to the Forces. He was described as 'A man', was appointed and sent to France. He was attached to several cavalry brigades and a Field Ambulance, and ended the War as Chaplain of the 2nd Cavalry Division.

Following this he was Chaplain of the British Embassy Church in Paris. Incumbencies as vicar at Holy Trinity, Bournemouth and Brompton, London followed before becoming the Archdeacon of Bath. He was also Rector of St Anne and St Agnes, Gresham Street a post he was to hold for only two years. He died on 29 September 1951, aged 72.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
Emmanuel College, Haileybury and Imperial Service College
Also known as
William Marshall Selwyn

People in William Selwyn's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Selwyn's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Selwyn?

British bishop (1879-1951)

When was William Selwyn born?

William Selwyn was born on 15 February 1879.

When did William Selwyn die?

William Selwyn died on 29 September 1951.

What was William Selwyn's occupation?

William Selwyn was an anglican priest.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Selwyn

· Wikidata: Q8018273

· DBpedia: William Selwyn (bishop)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Selwyn. https://biography.guide/william-selwyn-anglican-priest/

MLA: "William Selwyn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-selwyn-anglican-priest/.

Chicago: "William Selwyn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-selwyn-anglican-priest/.

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

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