Dean of Durham

The Dean of Durham is the "head" (primus inter pares – first among equals) and chair of the Chapter, the ruling body of Durham Cathedral. The dean and chapter are based at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham in Durham. The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Durham and seat of the Bishop of Durham. List of deans Early modern 1541–1551 Hugh Whitehead (last prior) 1551–1553 Robert Horne 1553–1558 Thomas Watson 1558–1559 Thomas Robertson (deprived) 1559–1561 Robert Horne (again) 1561–1563 Ralph Skinner 1563–1579 William Whittingham 1580–1581 Thomas Wilson (Lay dean) 1583–1595 Tobias Matthew 1596–1606 William James 1606–1620 Adam Newton (Lay dean) 1620–1638 Richard Hunt 1639–1645 Walter Balcanquhall 1646 Christopher Potter 1646–1659 William Fuller 1660–1661 John Barwick 1661–1684 John Sudbury 1684–1690 Denis Granville 1691–1699 Thomas Comber 1700–1728 John Montague 1728–1746 Henry Bland 1746–1774 The Hon Spencer Cowper 1774–1777 Thomas Dampier 1777–1788 William Digby 1788–1794 John Hinchliffe