James Wentworth Leigh (22 January 1838 – 5 January 1923) was an Anglican priest in the last decade of the 19th century and the first two of the 20th.Dr. J. W. Leigh. An Unconventional Dean The Times Saturday, Jan 06, 1923; pg. 11; Issue 43232; col B He was a very active Freemason, an enthusiastic temperance campaigner, and an ardent social reformer.
Early life Born at Paris and brought up at Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire in a noble family (his father was Chandos Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh from 1839), he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge."Who was Who"1897-1990 London, A & C Black, 1991
At the age of sixteen, he attempted to enlist in the British Army to serve in the Crimean War and after leaving university went on a tour with three friends of Egypt, Palestine and Constantinople before studying for ministry in the Church of England at Wells Theological College.
Career He was ordained in 1862 "The Clergy List, Clerical Guide and Ecclesiastical Directory" London, Hamilton & Co 1889 and became Curate of St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove. Two years later he was appointed Vicar of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Later, he held incumbencies at All Saints Leamington and St Mary's, Bryanston Square.
In 1894New Dean of Hereford The Rev. the Hon. James Wentworth Leigh The Times Wednesday, Apr 04, 1894; pg. 10; Issue 34229; col C he was appointed to the Deanery of Hereford Cathedral and retired in 1919. In 1920, he served as President of the National Temperance League (Great Britain). Freemasonry He was an active and zealous Freemason, who rose to a senior rank within the organisation. Having risen through the ranks of his lodge, and his Provincial Grand Lodge, and attained appointment as an officer of the United Grand Lodge of England, in 1899 he was granted the honorary rank of Past Grand Chaplain, the most senior clerical appointment in Freemasonry. In 1906 he received a patent to act as Provincial Grand Master of Herefordshire, taking sole charge of all lodges in that county.
Personal life He died in January 1923 aged 84.
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External links St Johns Church Bromsgrove