Anthony Russell
Anthony John Russell ( born January 25, 1943) is an Anglican clergyman and was from 2000 to 2010 Bishop of Ely in the Church of England.
Life and career
Russell attended Uppingham School, a co-educational private school in Uppingham. He then visited the St Chad 's College, Durham. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1965. He studied at Durham University and at Trinity College, Oxford, where, in 1971 was awarded a doctorate in philosophy. His dissertation dealt with the professionalization of the clergy in the 19th century. He also studied theology at Ripon College from 1965 in Cuddesdon.
In 1970 he was ordained a deacon in 1971 as a priest. He was vicar from 1970 to 1973 in the group of Hilborougher parishes in the diocese of Norwich. From 1973 to 1976 he was pastor ( Priest- in-charge ) of Preston -on- Stour with Whitchurch and of Atherstone -on- Stour in the Diocese of Coventry. From 1977 to 1988 he was then Vicar of Preston -on-Stour with Whitchurch and of Atherstone. At the same time he was also canon and priest at Coventry Cathedral. From 1983 to 1988 he was chaplain of Queen Elizabeth II
In 1988 he was auxiliary bishop in the diocese of Oxford. During this time he carried the official title of Bishop of Dorchester. In 2000 he was appointed Bishop of Ely.
Russell announced that he will give up his post on 28 February 2010.
Between 1973 and 1982 he was chaplain of the Arthur Rank Centre and its director from 1983 to 1988.
Russell published several books, especially about the role of the church in the countryside. He is a leading spokesman for the church in agricultural and rural affairs. He was a member of the Commission on the development of rural areas and representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury on issues of rural areas. In addition, Russell is Vice - President of the Royal Agricultural Society. Since 2003 he has been President of the Woodard Corporation, a consortium of 44 Anglican public schools and private schools.
Russell is married and the father of four children, two daughters and two sons.
Membership in the House of Lords
From the 10th December 2007 to February 2010 Hill belonged to the House of Lords as Lord clergyman. His political areas of interest include the Russell Agriculture, Rural Affairs, energy policy, education and heritage. His inaugural address was delivered on 10 January 2008. His successor in the House of Lords was Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby.
Work in the public
In May 2009, Russell was one of the bishops who signed up to the death of Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough, to speak. He praised Cundys work within the Church of England, in particular its merits in matters of ecumenism.
He received in November 2009, Queen Elizabeth II for the 900 years anniversary of the Diocese of Ely.