Gilbert White (bishop)

Gilbert White was an Anglican bishop who served two Australian dioceses for 25 years.

Early life

Gilbert White was born on 9 June 1859 at Rondebosch, South Africa, the son of Francis Gilbert White, clergyman, and his wife Lucy. He was named after his great-grand-uncle, the naturalist.
White was educated at Fettes College and Oriel College, Oxford.

Religious life

Ordained in 1883, after a curacy at Helston White emigrated to Australia where he became Rector of Charters Towers, Herberton and Ravenswood, all in Queensland. From 1890 to 1900 he was Archdeacon of North Queensland. He was raised to the episcopate in 1900 as the inaugural Bishop of Carpentaria. One of his first acts was to establish a small theological college, Bishop's College. In 1915, he translated to head up the new Willochra Diocese in South Australia.

Later life

White retired in 1925. In the same year, he was the Australian representative at the World Conference of Life and Work, an ecumenical conference held in Stockholm.
He wrote poetry that reflected his love of nature. He also wrote three books about his travels in northern Australia.