William Howley

William Howley (12 February 1766 – 11 February 1848) was a clergyman in the Church of England. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1828 to 1848. Early life, education, and interests Howley was born in 1766 at Ropley, Hampshire, where his father was vicar. He was educated at Winchester College and in 1783 went to New College, Oxford. He became Chaplain to the Marquess of Abercorn in 1792, whose influence was critical in advancing his early career. In 1809 he was appointed Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University (as well as previously becoming a Fellow of Winchester and a Canon of Christ Church, Oxford in 1804). He was an active English Freemason, having joined the 'Royal York Lodge' in Bristol on 21 December 1791, aged 25, and served the lodge regularly until around the turn of the century, including serving as Master of the Lodge. In October 1813, at Lambeth Palace, he was consecrated Bishop of London, a post he was to occupy until 1828, when he became Archbishop of Canterbury.