Hugh Otter-Barry Explained

Hugh Van Lynden Otter-Barry (7 March 1887 – 9 May 1971), was the son of Isabel Louisa née Wolryche-Whitmore (1847–1905) and Robert Melvil Barry Otter, later Otter-Barry (1845–1917),[1] and great-grandson of William Otter, Bishop of Chichester. He was Bishop of Mauritius from 1931 to 1959.[2]

He was educated at Marlborough and Trinity College, Cambridge.[3] Ordained in 1910 he was initially a Curate at St Luke's Church, Chelsea[4] and then a missionary priest in Queensland. From 1919 until 1926 he was Vicar of Brill[5] and then began a long period of service to Mauritius — firstly as its Archdeacon; and then from 1931 as its diocesan bishop. He was consecrated a bishop on St Barnabas' Day 1931 (11 June), by Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury, at St Paul's Cathedral. He returned to England in 1959[6] where he continued to serve the Church as an Assistant Bishop within the Diocese of Peterborough until his death.[7]

A primary school in Mauritius, in the town of Curepipe, close to Farquhar Street, is named after Otter-Barry.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Fox-Davies. Arthur Charles. Armorial families : a directory of gentlemen of coat-armour. 1929. Hurst and Blackett. London, England. 1479. 7th. 6 January 2015.
  2. “The Mauritian Shekel” Pitot,G:Lanham Rowman & Littlefield, 2000
  3. Who was Who 1897–1990 London, A & C Black, 1991
  4. http://www.chelseaparish.org/ Parish web-site
  5. Blanche Mary Kelly, Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1969, p. 1517.
  6. Resignation of The Bishop of Mauritius The Times Monday, Jun 15, 1959; pg. 12; Issue 54487; col D
  7. Obituary — Bishop Otter-Barry The Times Tuesday, May 11, 1971; pg. 16; Issue 58169; col E