Robert Grimley

The Very Reverend

Robert Grimley
Dean of Bristol
ChurchChurch of England
In office1997–2009
PredecessorWesley Carr
SuccessorDavid Hoyle
Orders
Ordination1968 (deacon)
1969 (priest)
Personal details
Born
Robert William Grimley

(1943-09-26) 26 September 1943 (age 81)
Derby, Derbyshire, England
DenominationAnglicanism
ResidenceOxford, Oxfordshire[1]

Robert William Grimley (born 26 September 1943) is a Church of England priest. He was Dean of Bristol from 1997 to 2009.[2]

Early life

Grimley was born on 26 September 1943 in Derby, England,[3][4] the son of William Bracebridge Grimley and Gladys Mary née Draper.[5]

After schooling at Derby School, an all-boys grammar school in Derby,[3] Grimley matriculated in Christ's College, Cambridge; there, he studied Part I of the Mathematical Tripos before switching to theology for Part II.[4] He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1966; his BA was promoted a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) degree in 1970.[6] In 1966, he entered Ripon Hall, Oxford, an Anglican theological college.[6] While training for ordination, he also studied Oriental studies (specifically Hebrew, Aramaic and Syriac) at Wadham College, Oxford.[4] He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA degree in 1968; this was promoted to an MA (Oxon) degree in 1976.[6]

Ordained ministry

Grimley was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1968 and as a priest in 1969.[6] His first post was as an Assistant Curate at St John, Radlett (1968–72); he then served as curate of St Mary's Church Moseley, Moseley, until 1974, when he was Vicar of St. George's Church, Edgbaston (1984–97).[5] He was Dean of Bristol from 1997 to 2009.[6]

He retired from full-time ministry in 2009. In 2010, he was granted permission to officiate in the Diocese of Oxford.[6] Since 2010, he has served as an honorary chaplain at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.[7]

Honours

On 3 December 2004, Grimley was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Hon DLitt) by the University of the West of England.[4] On 15 July 2009, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (Hon LLD) by the University of Bristol.[1]

Personal life

Grimley married Joan Elizabeth Platt in 1968. They have had two sons and one daughter.[5] One of their sons, Matthew, is now a Fellow and Mark Reynolds Tutor in History at Merton College, Oxford, where he specialises in the history of twentieth-century Britain with a focus on public morality after World War II, and religious and national identity after World War I.[1][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bailey, John (15 July 2009). "The Very Reverend Robert Grimley". Honorary graduates 2009. University of Bristol. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  2. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
  3. ^ a b Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  4. ^ a b c d "UWE awards honorary degree to Robert Grimley". News Releases. University of West England. 25 November 2004. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "Grimley, Very Rev. Robert William", Who's Who 2016 (online edition), Oxford University Press, 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Robert William Grimley". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Dean, Cathedral Chapter & Staff". Christ Church, Oxford. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Dr Matthew Grimley", Merton College, Oxford. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
Church of England titles
Preceded by Deans of Bristol
1997–2009 		Succeeded by