The Victorian Church: Part One, 1829–1859

The Victorian Church #1

by Owen Chadwick

Classic work of ecclesiastical history, exercising original and independent judgement. Volume II also available.

Genres: History

620 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

William Owen Chadwick, OM, KBE, FBA, FRSE, was a British Anglican clergyman, academic, writer and prominent historian of Christianity. He was also a rugby union player. He was Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, from 1956 to 1983, Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History from 1958 to 1968, and Regius Professor of History from 1968 to 1983.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chadwick writes with a prose that is only found in the first-rate of historians; he rivals Hobsbawm, Soboul, Marx, Bullock and Tacitus in the way he formulates his language. Every section is infused with a richness of language begetting a novel rather than a history. Chadwick possesses a literary talent that equals his historical talent. Every section of this tome is meticulously researched, sometimes to the point of absurdity, looking for the finest scraps of detail to provide the definitive history of the Victorian Church.

To write about these thirty tumultuous years would give any historian trembles equal to that of an earthquake, but Chadwick takes it all in his stride. No part of the totality of Church history is left uncovered by him; from Quakers to Scottish Parish Churches, from the Corn Laws to the Gorham Controversy, we see a man truly enthralled with his chosen subject material and leaving nothing unturned or unexamined. It truly is an absolutely delightful read, which will sometimes have you chuckling at the absurdities of protests against high churchmen and sometimes on the verge of tears due to the tragedy of James Anthony Froude. It truly is a rollercoaster of a history, but sublime in its quality.

I could not recommend Chadwick's book enough!

[Adrian Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read again. Full of entertaining detail about weird and wonderful people, but I had forgotten how the writing is occasionally touched with real beauty of its own.

[Justin Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I'm bogged down in 'Part II.' But this volume was one of the best histories I've read.

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

uperb exposition of the period where absolute certainty came to a halt. The Great Reform Bill, a veey young queen and an increasingly stark divide between the rural and industrial parts of the country. A masterly examination of this complex period by one of the C of E's most emminent historian. What emerged was a new type of bishop, epitomised by Dr Proudie in 'Barchester Towers'. From solidly middle class backgrounds rather than the landed gentry. An absolute classic

[Kate]

This was on Shirley Mullen's recommended reading list under the category of "history."