Lord William Cecil (bishop)

Lord William Cecil (13 May 1863 – 25 April 1936) was an English clergyman of the Church of England. He served as Bishop of Exeter from 1916 to 1936.

Born the son of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, a prominent Conservative politician and Prime Minister, and Georgina Charlotte Alderson, Cecil was educated at Eton College and University College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1887 and began his ecclesiastical career as curate of Great Yarmouth.

He then held various positions, including rector of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, a position closely associated with the Cecil family’s ancestral home, Hatfield House. From 1916 until his death in 1936, he served as the Bishop of Exeter.

As Bishop of Exeter, Cecil was known for his progressive views on social issues and his engagement with the working classes. He was involved in various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people in the diocese. He also actively participated in debates on matters of national importance, often expressing opinions that differed from the prevailing conservative sentiment of his family. His theological positions were considered relatively liberal for the time. He was also known for his approachable nature and pastoral concern for his clergy and laity.