Arthur Cleveland Coxe (January 30, 1818 – September 13, 1896) was an American Episcopal clergyman, poet, and author who served as the second Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York from 1865 to 1894.
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Born in New York City, New York, to John Coxe and Sarah (née Cleveland).
- Family Background: Descended from a family with Dutch and English ancestry; his mother’s lineage included the prominent Cleveland family of New England.
- Education: Attended Columbia College (now Columbia University), receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1836. He later earned a Master of Arts (1839) and a Doctor of Divinity (1851, honorary). Coxe studied theology at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, completing his preparation for ordination in 1840.
Ordination and Early Ministry
- Ordained Deacon: 1840, by Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk.
- Ordained Priest: 1842, also by Bishop Onderdonk.
- Parochial Appointments: Served as rector of St. Paul’s Church in New York City (1842–1858) and later at St. James’ Church in Baltimore, Maryland (1858–1865). During this period, he became known for his preaching style, which combined evangelical fervor with high-church liturgical preferences.
Episcopal Bishop of Western New York
- Election: Elected Bishop of Western New York on June 19, 1865.
- Consecration: Consecrated on October 14, 1865, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, New York City, by Bishops John L. Freeman, William H. DeLancey, and others.
- Tenure: Served 29 years, overseeing growth in clergy numbers, church planting, and the expansion of Episcopal education in the diocese. He promoted the establishment of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral School and supported the development of St. Matthew’s Hospital in Buffalo.
- Liturgical Influence: Advocated for more elaborate liturgical practices, aligning with the Anglo‑Catholic movement within American Anglicanism.
Literary Contributions
Coxe was a prolific writer, producing poetry, theological essays, and sermons. Notable works include:
| Title | Publication Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Fellowship of the Cross | 1839 | A collection of poems reflecting early religious sentiment. |
| A Primer of the Roman Catholicism | 1849 | A polemical work addressing Catholic doctrines from an Episcopal perspective. |
| A Sermon on the Life and Death of Abraham Lincoln | 1865 | Delivered shortly after Lincoln’s assassination; widely reprinted. |
| The Psalms, Psalters and Hymns of the Church (editor) | 1863 | Edited a compilation for Episcopal worship. |
| The Holy Communion: Its Significance | 1885 | Theological treatise emphasizing sacramental theology. |
Personal Life
- Marriage: Married Sarah Huntington in 1842; the couple had several children, including Arthur Coxe Jr., who pursued a career in law.
- Health: Suffered recurring respiratory ailments in later life, which contributed to his retirement in 1894.
Death and Legacy
- Death: Died on September 13, 1896, in New York City at age 78.
- Burial: Interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.
- Legacy: Remembered for bridging evangelical and high‑church tendencies within the Episcopal Church, for his contributions to liturgical literature, and for fostering ecclesiastical education in Western New York. The Coxe Memorial Library at the Diocese of Western New York, established in the early 20th century, bears his name.
References
- Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900).
- The Episcopal Church Annual, 1890–1910 editions.
- Coxe, Arthur C. The Holy Communion: Its Significance (1885).
- The New York Times obituary, September 14, 1896.
- St. Stephen's Cathedral School archives, Buffalo, NY.
This entry reflects information drawn from established historical and ecclesiastical sources.
