George William Davenport (August 14, 1870 – July 25, 1956) was the third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, serving from 1920 to 1938.

The Right Reverend

George William Davenport

D.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of Easton
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseEaston
ElectedJune 2, 1920
In office1920–1938
PredecessorWilliam Forbes Adams
SuccessorWilliam McClelland
Orders
OrdinationMay 31, 1896
by William Paret
ConsecrationSeptember 15, 1920
by Daniel S. Tuttle
Personal details
Born(1879-08-14)August 14, 1879
DiedJuly 25, 1956(1956-07-25) (aged 76)
Auburndale, Massachusetts, United States
BuriedPine Hill Cemetery, Brandon, Vermont
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWillard Goss Davenport & Mary Converse Backus
SpouseJennie Platt Briggs
Children4

Early life and education

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Davenport was born on August 14, 1870, in Brandon, Vermont, the son of the Reverend Willard Goss Davenport and Mary Converse Backus. His father was rector of Emmanuel Church in Washington D.C. for over thirty years. He was educated in the Washington High School and at St Paul's School in Baltimore. He then studied at Hobart College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, before moving to the Maryland Theological Class and the General Theological Seminary, from where he graduated in 1896. In 1920, Davenport was awarded a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Hobart College and a Doctor of Divinity from the University of Vermont in 1921.[1]

Ordained ministry

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Davenport was ordered deacon on October 17, 1893, and priest on May 31, 1896, both by Bishop William Paret of Maryland. After his ordination to the diaconate, he was appointed in charge of the Church of St John the Baptist in Baltimore, Maryland, while in 1895 he became assistant at St Matthew's Church in New York City, where he remained till 1896. Between 1896 and 1899 he served as rector of the Church of the Resurrection in Richmond Hill, Queens, and then, in 1899 became rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Astoria, Queens. In 1902 he moved to Danbury, Connecticut, to serve as rector of St James’ Church until 1912 when he became Provincial Secretary of Province One. In 1915 he became rector of St Paul's Church in Burlington, Vermont, while between 1919 and 1920 he was the executive secretary of the Seamen's Church Institute of America.[2]

Bishop

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Davenport was elected Bishop of Easton on June 2, 1920, during the 52nd annual convention of the diocese, which met at Sudlersville, Maryland. He was consecrated bishop on September 15, 1920, by Presiding Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle.[3] Davenport retired on November 7, 1938, and died on July 25, 1956, in Auburndale, Massachusetts, after a prolonged illness.

References

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  1. ^ "Rt. Rev. George Davenport, Retired Bishop, Dies at Home". The Living Church. 133 (9): 8. August 26, 1956.
  2. ^ "George William Davenport". The Living Church Annual: 80. 1920.
  3. ^ "The American Episcopate". The Living Church Annual: 514. 1935.