James Palmer (bishop)

Edwin James Palmer (called James)[1] was the Bishop of Bombay from 1908 until 1929.[2] He was born in 1869 into a noted family[3] and educated at Winchester College and Balliol College, Oxford.[4] Made deacon in 1896[5] and ordained priest in 1898,[6] he was elected a Fellow of his old college [7] and was Tutor [8] and Chaplain there until his appointment to the Episcopate [9] where (according to his Times obituary) he was

“moderate in opinion and accommodating in all things except where basic beliefs and principles were involved”.[10]

He was consecrated a bishop on Ascension Day 1908 (28 May), by Randall Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Southwark Cathedral.[11] He returned to England in 1929 and became Assistant Bishop of Gloucester until his death.[4] A prolific author,[12] in retirement he continued to serve the church[13] until his death on 28 March 1954 and his extensive papers are preserved for posterity within the Lambeth Palace Library.[14]

Palmer was the subject of a clerihew which acquired some currency at Oxford:[15]

"J. A. Smith

Said Christianity was a myth;
When he grew calmer

They sent for Mr Palmer."