Installed 1768 Predecessor Thomas Secker Name Frederick Cornwallis Died March 19, 1783 | Term ended 1783 Consecration 19 February 1750 Role Archbishop of Canterbury Successor John Moore | |
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Born 5 March 1713 ( 1713-03-05 ) Siblings Charles Cornwallis, 1st Earl Cornwallis Nephews Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, William Cornwallis, James Cornwallis, 4th Earl Cornwallis Education Christ's College, Cambridge, Eton College Similar People Edward Cornwallis, William Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis - 1st Marqu | ||
Frederick Cornwallis (5 March 1713 – 19 March 1783) was Archbishop of Canterbury, and the twin brother of Edward Cornwallis.
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Early life and education
Cornwallis was born in London, England, the seventh son of Charles Cornwallis, 4th Baron Cornwallis. He was educated at Eton College and graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge. He was ordained a priest in 1742, and became a Doctor of Divinity in 1748.
Career
Cornwallis was able to ascend quickly in the Church thanks to his aristocratic connections, and in 1746 was made chaplain to King George II and a canon of Windsor. In 1750 he became a canon at St Paul's Cathedral, and later that same year became Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry thanks to the patronage of the Duke of Newcastle, then Secretary of State. He was also Dean of Windsor (1765–1768) and Dean of St Paul's (1766–1768).
On the death of Thomas Secker in 1768, his friendship with the then-prime minister, the Duke of Grafton, resulted in his translation to Archbishop of Canterbury. As archbishop, his sociability and geniality made him popular. He was a consistent supporter of the administration of Lord North, and led efforts in support of dispossessed Anglican clergy in the American colonies during the American Revolution. He was buried at St. Mary's Church, Lambeth.
On the whole, Cornwallis has generally been judged as a competent administrator, but an uninspiring leader of the eighteenth-century church – a typical product of eighteenth century latitudinarianism, whose lack of zeal paved the way for the differing responses of both the Evangelicals and the Oxford Movement in the early 19th century.
Personal life
His nephew was Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, a British general during the American Revolution, and later Governor-General of India.