Robert William Grimley (born 26 September 1943) is a Church of England priest. He was Dean of Bristol from 1997 to 2009.[2]


Robert Grimley
Dean of Bristol
ChurchChurch of England
In office1997–2009
PredecessorWesley Carr
SuccessorDavid Hoyle
Orders
Ordination1968 (deacon)
1969 (priest)
Personal details
Born
Robert William Grimley

(1943-09-26) 26 September 1943 (age 80)
Derby, Derbyshire, England
DenominationAnglicanism
ResidenceOxford, Oxfordshire[1]

Early life edit

Grimley was born on 26 September 1943 in Derby, England,[3][4] the son of William Bracebridge Grimley and Gladys Mary née Draper.[5]

After schooling at Derby School, an all-boys grammar school in Derby,[3] Grimley matriculated in Christ's College, Cambridge; there, he studied Part I of the Mathematical Tripos before switching to theology for Part II.[4] He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1966; his BA was promoted a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) degree in 1970.[6] In 1966, he entered Ripon Hall, Oxford, an Anglican theological college.[6] While training for ordination, he also studied Oriental studies (specifically Hebrew, Aramaic and Syriac) at Wadham College, Oxford.[4] He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA degree in 1968; this was promoted to an MA (Oxon) degree in 1976.[6]

Ordained ministry edit

Grimley was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1968 and as a priest in 1969.[6] His first post was as an Assistant Curate at St John, Radlett (1968–72); he then served as curate of St Mary's Church Moseley, Moseley, until 1974, when he was Vicar of St. George's Church, Edgbaston (1984–97).[5] He was Dean of Bristol from 1997 to 2009.[6]

He retired from full-time ministry in 2009. In 2010, he was granted permission to officiate in the Diocese of Oxford.[6] Since 2010, he has served as an honorary chaplain at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.[7]

Honours edit

On 3 December 2004, Grimley was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Hon DLitt) by the University of the West of England.[4] On 15 July 2009, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (Hon LLD) by the University of Bristol.[1]

Personal life edit

Grimley married Joan Elizabeth Platt in 1968. They have had two sons and one daughter.[5] One of their sons, Matthew, is now a Fellow and Mark Reynolds Tutor in History at Merton College, Oxford, where he specialises in the history of twentieth-century Britain with a focus on public morality after World War II, and religious and national identity after World War I.[1][8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Bailey, John (15 July 2009). "The Very Reverend Robert Grimley". Honorary graduates 2009. University of Bristol. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  2. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
  3. ^ a b Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  4. ^ a b c d "UWE awards honorary degree to Robert Grimley". News Releases. University of West England. 25 November 2004. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "Grimley, Very Rev. Robert William", Who's Who 2016 (online edition), Oxford University Press, 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Robert William Grimley". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Dean, Cathedral Chapter & Staff". Christ Church, Oxford. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Dr Matthew Grimley", Merton College, Oxford. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
Church of England titles
Preceded by Deans of Bristol
1997–2009
Succeeded by