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Historical records matching Robert Gray, Bishop of Cape Town
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About Robert Gray, Bishop of Cape Town
Robert Gray was the First Bishop of Cape Town, South Africa. He is named as the twelfth child and seventh son of Bishop Robert Gray, Bishop of Bristol and his wife, Elizabeth Camplin, in a biography edited by his only son, Rev. Charles Norris Gray.
Bishop Robert Gray was a public figure and there is a lot of material available on his life and work.
Biography
Bishop Gray's biography is available in the Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 23, by Nicholas Pocock, Gray, Robert (1809-1872)
There's a version in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography by Nicholas Pocock, revised by Peter Hinchliff Record of Robert Gray's biography edited by Charles Norris Gray, held by Harvard University, Roberts' wife, Sophy, was also an influential person as an architect of at least 40 churches in early missionary times in South Africa.
References
UK Census 1841 at Old Park, Auckland, Stockton, Durham
- Robert Gray, age 30 born Durham occupation Clerk
- Sophia, wife, age 25, not born Durham
- Louisa, daughter, age 3, born Durham
- Charles, son, 9 months, born Durham
Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22
Charles N. Gray: Life of Robert Gray: Bishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of Africa. Full copy available here
Charles published two volumes about his father's life. Charles N. Gray: Life of Robert Gray : Bishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of Africa. Full copy available here
I haven't found a copy of the second volume yet. The first volume makes fascinating reading, as Bishop Gray and his wife, Sophy were early settlers in the region and travelled widely spreading their ministry.
There are a number of letters from Robert to his brothers in England: Henry and Charles. Unfortunately, only Robert's letters were reproduced - and there is no record of the thoughts and words of the brothers living in England - which is a pity.
Robert was distressed to see the cruelty inflicted on Africans, captured, bound and loaded onto slave ships in dock. He resolved to convert as many to Christianity as he could, as he believed that Christians could't be taken as slaves.
Bibliography
Burke, Bernard, Sir. A genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Great Britain & Ireland 6th ed. London : Harrison 1879. Vol I. page 682
Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 23, by Nicholas Pocock [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Gray,_Robert_(1809-1872)_(DNB00)]
Reference to Biography of Robert Gray Edited by Rev Charles N. Gray, Hathi Trust, Digital Library (* - looking for collections of Robert Gray papers for letters by Reverends Henry and Charles Gray)
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Robert Gray, Bishop of Cape Town's Timeline
| 1809 |
October 3, 1809
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Bishopswearmouth, Durham, England (United Kingdom)
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| 1840 |
August 24, 1840
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Old Park, Whitworth, Durham, England (United Kingdom)
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| 1853 |
October 27, 1853
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Paddington
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| 1872 |
September 1, 1872
Age 62
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Cape Town, South Africa
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