The Ven Thomas Karl Sopwith MA (known as Karl;[1] 28 May 1873 – 14 December 1945) was an eminent Anglican clergyman in the first half of the 20th century.[2]
He was born on 28 May 1873,[3] the eldest son of Arthur Sopwith of Chasetown & his wife Catherine Susan née Shelford. He was a grandson of mining engineer Thomas Sopwith and a nephew of civil engineer William Shelford.[4] He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating BA with a first-class in the Theology tripos in 1895. Ordained in 1897,[5] after curacies at St Matthew's, Walsall and St Peter's, Cranley Gardens[6] he held incumbencies in Shoreham, Kent, Westminster, Aylesford and Ashford, Kent. In 1934 he was appointed Archdeacon of Maidstone,[7] and in 1939 Archdeacon of Canterbury.[8] He retired in 1942 and died on 14 December 1945.[9]