Selwyn, George Augustus

Selwyn, George Augustus sĕlˈwĭn [key], 1809–78, English prelate. In 1841 he was appointed to the colonial diocese of New Zealand, becoming the first Anglican bishop of the island. Having prepared himself on the voyage by studying navigation and the Maori language, he visited many of the South Sea islands during his 26-year episcopate by sailing his own vessel. He set up a synodical church government in New Zealand and was a pioneer in encouraging the growth of a native ministry. Returning to England, Selwyn became (1868) bishop of Lichfield. In 1882, Selwyn College, Cambridge, a tribute to his memory financed through popular subscription, was incorporated.

See biographies by L. Creighton (1923) and J. H. Evans (1964).

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