The Revd Canon William Telfer (16 January 1886 – 13 January 1968)[1] was an English clergyman and academic, who specialised in early Christian studies.[2] Telfer held various prestigious positions throughout his career, including Dean of Clare College, Cambridge (1921),[3] Ely Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University (1944–1947) and Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge (1947–1956).[4]
Telfer was born in Rochester, Kent, the son of a schoolmaster.[2] After graduating from Clare College in 1908, he was ordained and became the Vicar of All Saints Church in Rotherhithe, which was later destroyed by a bomb in 1944. In 1921, Telfer returned to his alma mater as a Fellow. Even after retiring, he continued to write on theological subjects.
During the First World War, Telfer served as a chaplain and was awarded the Military Cross in the 1916 Birthday Honours.[5]