Charles James Blomfield
29 May 1786 -
5 August 1857

Family

He was the son of Charles Blomfield, schoolmaster at Bury St. Edmonds. He was twice married, in 1810 and 1819, and by his second wife, Dorothy, had a family of eleven children. His son and biographer, Alfred, was consecrated bishop suffragan of Colchester in 1882.

Education

He took his B.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1808, and was elected fellow of Trinity after winning high university honors.

Church Appointments and Service

He was ordained in 1810 and was subsequently presented to the benefice of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate. He was made, in 1822, Archdeacon of Colchester and, two years later, Bishop of Chester. In 1828, he was translated to the See of London. In 1836 "he was the moving spirit" behind the Ecclesiastical Commission, through which he strove for better distribution of church revenues and duties, the diminution of pluralities and non-residence, and the furtherance of poor benefices.

Noteworthy Publications

Blomfield published numerous scholarly editions of works of classical literature as well as articles on the same in the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews. In addition, he published a Manual of Family Prayers (1824) and some of his sermons.

Footnote

"It is for his energetic and successful efforts in remedying the extremely inadequate provision of churches, schools, and clergymen for the rapidly increasing population of London that his name is best remembered." -- DNB 2: 691-92