David Williams Bentley (1882–1970) was the 7th Bishop of Barbados.
Born in Liverpool, he was ordained in 1906 and served as a curate in Barrow-in-Furness from 1906–1910.[1] Educated at Durham University, he served as President of St Cuthbert's Society in 1910, establishing a reputation as a scholar, a dedicated oarsman and a committed and proselytising socialist[2] having acquired his socialism when serving as curate in the slums of Barrow. A curacy in Bethnal Green (1910–1914) was followed by two years as Vicar of St Matthias Plaistow.[3]
In 1917 he emigrated to the Caribbean to take up the post of Warden of St Peter's College, Jamaica.[4] He was consecrated bishop in 1919, after which he served as Suffragan Bishop of Jamaica until he was appointed Bishop of Barbados in 1927.[5] A particular feature of his episcopacy was the promotion of education, and in 1938 he was appointed a CBE for his services to education in Barbados.
"A forceful and lovely preacher, Dr Bentley always received a warm welcome at all the Parishes which he visited ..."[6]
Bentley retired in 1945 but continued to live in Barbados until his death in 1970.