J. C. Ryle


John Charles Ryle was an English Anglican bishop, preacher, and writer in the evangelical and Calvinist traditions. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

Life

J.C. Ryle was born at Macclesfield, Cheshire on 10 May 1816, as the eldest son of an old and wealthy English family. His father was John Ryle of Park House, Macclesfield, a private banker and the M.P. for Macclesfield 1833–7. His mother, Susanna, was the daughter of Charles Hurt of Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
He was educated at Eton, where he excelled in rowing and cricket. From Eton, he entered the University of Oxford, where his career was unusually distinguished. He matriculated into Christ Church as a Fell Exhibitioner on 15 May 1834. He was Craven scholar in 1836, and was placed in the literæ humaniores in 1837.
In the winter of 1837, during his time at Oxford, Ryle experienced a religious conversion upon hearing . In a letter to his family, he wrote:
Ryle graduated B.A. from Oxford in 1838, intending not to enter the priesthood but to stand for Parliament at the first opportunity. He was unable to do so because of his father's bankruptcy. He took holy orders and became curate at Exbury, Hampshire. In 1843, he was preferred to the rectory of St [Thomas Church, Winchester|St Thomas, Winchester], which he exchanged in the following year for that of Helmingham, Suffolk. He retained the latter living until 1861, when he resigned it for the vicarage of Stradbroke in the same county. The restoration of Stradbroke church was due to his initiative. In 1869, he was made rural dean of Hoxne, and in 1872 honorary canon of Norwich.
Ryle also continued his theological education. He proceeded M.A. at Oxford in 1871, and was created D.D. by diploma on 4 May 1880.
Ryle was selected preacher at Cambridge in 1873 and the following year, at Oxford from 1874 to 1876, and in 1879 and the following year. In 1880, he was designated dean of Salisbury, and at once, 19 April, advanced to the newly created see of Liverpool, which he ably administered until his death at Lowestoft, Suffolk on 10 June 1900. He is buried at All Saints Church, Childwall, Liverpool.

Family

Ryle married three times. His first two wives died young. His first marriage was on 29 October 1845, to Matilda Charlotte Louisa, daughter of John Pemberton Plumptre, of Fredville, Kent. His second, in March 1850, was to Jessy Elizabeth Walker, daughter of John Walker of Crawfordton, Dumfriesshire, and sister of George Gustavus Walker. His third marriage, on 24 October 1861, was to Henrietta Clowes, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel William Legh Clowes of Broughton Old Hall, Lancashire, and sister of Samuel Clowes. Ryle had a daughter by his first wife, and three sons and a daughter by his second wife Jessy. His second son Herbert Edward Ryle, also an Anglican clergyman, became successively bishop of Exeter, bishop of Winchester, and dean of Westminster. Through his son Reginald, J.C. Ryle was the grandfather of the philosopher Gilbert Ryle.

Legacy

Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of ritualism. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, and Principles for Churchmen. Ryle was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles, yet having a warm disposition. He was also credited with having success in evangelizing the blue collar community.

Published works

  • The Cross: A Call to the Fundamentals of Religion
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  • Expository Thoughts on Luke, , , LibriVox audio: ,
  • Expository Thoughts on John , , , LibriVox audio: , ,
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  • Higher Criticism: Some Thoughts on Modern Theories about the Old Testament
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Independently published:
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