The Life of John William Colenso, D.D.
Bishop of Natal

This 1888 biography of the first Bishop of Natal describes his controversial support for Zulu rights and liberal theology.

George William Cox (Author)

9781108032063, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

730 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 4.1 cm, 0.91 kg

The prolific nineteenth-century historian and liberal churchman George William Cox (1827–1902) published this biography of the controversial bishop John William Colenso (1814–83) in 1888. Colenso was appointed the first Bishop of Natal in 1853, and in the next few years he oversaw the completion of the cathedral in Pietermaritzburg and the building of churches in Durban and Richmond, established mission stations and learned Zulu. He was heavily criticised for his tolerance of Zulu practices and for his view that the Old Testament was not literally true. Eventually he was excommunicated, though he retained a loyal following. Cox had accompanied Colenso on his first visit to South Africa in 1853, and remained a fervent supporter of the bishop's work, eventually being nominated (unsuccessfully) as his successor. Volume 1 covers Colenso's early years in Cornwall, his education at Cambridge, his appointment as bishop, and the furore surrounding his theology.

Preface
1. Early years, and life at Cambridge and Forncett
2. Ten weeks in Natal
3. Early work in Natal
4. 'The Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans'
5. Preparations for the Great Warfare. 1862–3
6. Work in England, 1863–4. The battle
7. The so-called trial at Capetown
8. Consequences of the so-called trial at Capetown
9. Bishop Harold Browne and the antagonists of the Bishop of Natal
10. The Pentateuch: its matter
11. The Pentateuch: its composition
12. The Pentateuch: its growth
Appendix.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]