Frank Russell Barry (28 January 1890 – 24 October 1976)[1] was an Anglicanbishop and author who served as Bishop of Southwell for over 20 years in the middle of the 20th century.[2][3][4]
Family and education
Born in Rochester, Kent, Barry was the son of another priest, George Duncan Barry, who served as curate of St Peter's Rochester then of St Mark's Surbiton,[5] and was later Rector of Bratton Fleming;[1] and his wife Edith née Reid; his brother was the journalist Gerald Barry.[5] He was educated at Bradfield College before studying Classics (literae humaniores) at Oriel College, Oxford. He became a Fellow and Lecturer at Oriel in 1913, which role he retained throughout his wartime service, until his move to Oxford. He was made deacon on Trinity Sunday 1914 (7 June),[6] then ordained priest the following Trinity (30 May 1915) — both times by Charles Gore, Bishop of Oxford, at Cuddesdon Parish Church; very exceptionally, he was not ordained to a title post but to officiate throughout the diocese.[7] In 1929, he married Lilian Janet Gray; they had one child, a daughter.[1]
Wartime service
During the Great War he had two interviews for a commission as a Temporary Chaplain to the Forces. He was unsuccessful at his first interview in October, 1914, but was appointed in November, 1915.[8] As TCF he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches. The citation for his DSO referred to his actions near Mouquet Farm during the Battle of the Somme. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under very heavy fire with the greatest courage and determination. He set a splendid example throughout the operation'.[9] He was also awarded the Montenegrin medal.[1] During the War, he was part of the beginnings of what would become the Ordination Test School.[5]
In retirement, he divided his time between a house in the Lake District and a flat in Westminster, where he died on 24 October 1976, following a coronary in June that year. He was buried in Borrowdale churchyard rather than his further cathedral at Southwell Minster,[5] where there is nonetheless a memorial plaque.
He was honoured by the universities of St Andrews and Nottingham and by Lambeth as a Doctor of Divinity. As an academic theologian, he was extensively published;[1] as both writer and preacher, his specialism was the popular exposition of Christianity — his most noted work was The Relevance of Christianity (1931). In 1923, he was one of the authors — with his friend Mervyn Haigh — of A New Prayer Book (called the Grey Book), one of several proposed drafts in the development of the abortive 1928 prayer book. Barry also served on the archbishops' commission on doctrine starting in 1923.[5]
^Amongst others he wrote "One Clear Call", 1922; ”The Relevance of Christianity", 1931; "The Relevance of the Church", 1935; "Faith in Dark Ages", 1940; “Mervyn Haigh”, 1964;and “ Period of My Life" 1974 British Library Catalogue accessed 15:20 May 31st 2008
^The Times, Monday, 8 December 1941; p. 6; Issue 49103; col D Ecclesiastical News Bishop of Southwell Nominated
