George Spencer (bishop)
George John Trevor Spencer was an Anglican bishop in the 19th century and a member of the Spencer family.
Early life
Spencer was born on 11 December 1799. He was the son of William Robert Spencer and Countess Susan von Jenison-Walworth. Spencer's brother Aubrey Spencer, became first Bishop of Newfoundland in 1839, then Bishop of Jamaica.His paternal grandparents were Lord Charles Spencer and the former Hon. Mary Beauclerk. His maternal grandparents were the former Charlotte Smith and Count Francis von Jenison-Walworth, Chamberlain to the Elector Palatine. His maternal uncle, Count Franz von Jenison-Walworth, married Mary Beauclerk, a daughter of Topham Beauclerk and the former Lady Diana Spencer, and served as Chamberlain to the King of Württemberg. Among his cousins were the Bavarian diplomat, Count Franz Oliver von Jenison-Walworth.
He was educated at University College, Oxford, receiving a B.A. in 1822 and an honorary D.D. in 1847.
Career
In 1823 Spencer was made deacon by the Bishop of Lincoln and ordained a priest by the Bishop of Salisbury in 1824. He became Perpetual curate of Buxton until 1829, when he became Rector of Leaden Roding until his appointment as the Bishop of Madras in 1837. The post came through the influence of John Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton, his brother-in-law.Resigning his See in 1849, he was afterwards minister of the Marbœuf Chapel in Paris; an assistant Bishop of Bath and Wells and commissary during Bagot's illness; and then Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral from 1860. His last post was as Rector of Walton on the Wolds, Leicestershire.
Personal life
In 1823, Spencer married Harriet Theodora Hobhouse, daughter of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, 1st Baronet and, his second wife, the former Amelia Parry. Among her siblings was Joanna Hobhouse who married Rev. Frederick Adrian Scrope Fane They had two sons and three daughters, including:- Theodora Amelia Mary Spencer, who married Judge of the High Court, Madras, Hatley Frere, son of James Hatley Frere, in 1840.
- Susan Ann Sophia Churchill Spencer, who married Rev. Robert Kerr Hamilton in 1845.
- William Cavendish Spencer, who was in the Bengal Civil Service and married Patience Caroline Hannyngton, daughter of Col. John Caulfield Hannyngton, in 1858.
- Almeric John Spencer, a Reverend married his cousin, Isabella Elizabeth Fane, daughter Joanna Fane, in 1857.
- Emily Joanna Elphinstone Spencer, who died unmarried.