William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury
6 November -- Commemoration
If celebrated as a Lesser Festival,
Common of Teachers, page 473
William Temple was born in 1881 and baptised on this day in
Exeter Cathedral. His father was Bishop of Exeter and later
Archbishop of Canterbury. William excelled in academic
studies and developed into a philosopher and theologian of
significance. After ordination, he quickly made a mark in
the Church and at forty became a bishop. Within a decade he
was Archbishop of York. He is especially remembered for his
ecumenical efforts and also for his concern with social
issues, contributing notably to the debate which led to the
creation of state welfare provision after the Second World
War. He died in 1944, two years after his translation to
the See of Canterbury.