Francis Lear (dean of Salisbury) explained

Francis Lear (1789 in Downton, Wiltshire – 1850 in Salisbury) was Dean of Salisbury in the Church of England from 1846 until his death.^[1]

Lear was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, where he matriculated in 1806, and then Magdalen College from 1809, graduating B.A. in 1810, M.A. 1813, and becoming a Fellow in 1819. He held livings in Wiltshire at Chilmark and Bishopstone (near Salisbury). He was Archdeacon of Sarum from 1836^[2] until his appointment as Dean. He died on 23 March 1850.^[3]

Lear married Isabella Mary Majendie.^[4] Their son, also named Francis, succeeded his father as rector of Bishopstone^[5] and was Archdeacon of Sarum from 1875 until his death on 1914.^[6]

Isabella paid for the construction in 1854 of All Saints' Church, East Harnham, in memory of her husband; it had been his wish to provide a church for this outlying district of the city.^[7]

Notes and References

1. DEATH OF THE DEAN OF SALISBURY. The Morning Post (London), Wednesday, March 27, 1850; p. 4; Issue 23805
2. Ecclesiastical Intelligence 'The Essex Standard, and Colchester, Chelmsford, Maldon, Harwich, and General County Advertiser' (Colchester, England), Friday, December 30, 1836; Issue 313
3. Deaths. The Times (London, England), Wednesday, Mar 27, 1850; pg. 9; Issue 20447
4. Web site: Francis Lear. Ancestry.com. 26 November 2021.
5. Web site: Victoria County History: Wiltshire: Vol 11 pp3-19 – Parishes: Bishopstone. Baggs. A.P.. 1980. Crowley. D.A.. British History Online. University of London. 18 December 2019. Elizabeth. Crittall. Jane. Freeman. Janet H. Stevenson.
6. "Canon Francis Lear" The Times (London, England), Friday, 20 February 1914; pg. 9; Issue 40452
7. Web site: Church of All Saints, East Harnham, Salisbury. 26 November 2021. Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council.