Falkner Allison

The Right Reverend Sherard Falkner Allison (19 January 1907 – 31 May 1993) was a British Anglican bishop and successively the Bishop of Chelmsford and the Bishop of Winchester.

Early life, family and education

Allison was born in Stafford on 19 January 1907 while his father, William Sherard Allison, was Vicar of St Thomas' Church, Stafford.^[1] He was born into a clergy family – besides his father, his mother Emily Beatrice's father (James Wheeler) and brother (Harold Wheeler) were already vicars – and Falkner's three brothers also became priests – Oliver Allison became Bishop in the Sudan while Roger and Gordon remained vicars.^[2] Falkner (who was always known by his second forename) was educated at Dean Close School, Cheltenham as a child before studying as a Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge and training for the ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

Priestly career

Having been ordained deacon in 1931, Allison served his title post as curate of St James's Church, Tunbridge Wells until 1934, being ordained priest in 1932. He then became Chaplain of Ridley Hall, Cambridge and Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Bradford, Alfred Blunt until 1936, when he became Vicar of Rodbourne Cheney. In 1940, Allison became Vicar of Erith until he was appointed Principal of Ridley Hall in 1945, where he served until his election as Bishop of Chelmsford. During his time at Ridley, he was also Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Rochester (until 1947) and to the Bishop of Ely (from 1947).

Episcopal career

Allison was consecrated a bishop by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, on 2 February 1951 at Westminster Abbey,^[3] having presumably been elected and confirmed as Bishop of Chelmsford shortly before. He served as the diocesan bishop for Essex and East London for ten years before he was made Bishop of Winchester in 1961 — his election to that See was confirmed in late December 1961.^[4] He remained in Winchester until his retirement in 1974,^[5] during which time he was ex officio a Lord Spiritual and Prelate of the Order of the Garter. Having retired to Aldeburgh, Allison died on 31 May 1993, aged 86.

Styles and titles

• 1931–1951: The Reverend Falkner Allison
• 1951–1993: The Right Reverend Falkner Allison

Works

• The Christian Life (1938) with Douglas Ernest William Harrison

References

Sources

• Allison, Sherard Falkner. Who Was Who. 1920–2007 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
• The Independent – Obituary: Falkner Allison (Accessed 1 February 2014)