Headlam, Stewart

(1847–1924)

   Philanthropist.

   Headlam was born near Liverpool, England, and was educated at the University of Cambridge. There he came under the influence of Frederick Denison maurice and he was ordained in 1870. Throughout his life he was in constant difficulties with the Church of England establishment. His Bishop delayed his ordination because he could not bring himself to believe in eternal punishment. He advocated the abolition of the blasphemy laws. He consorted with the avowed atheist Charles Bradlaugh. In an era which regarded the theatre as a den of vice, he started the Church and Stage Guild. He founded the Guild of St Matthew, one of the early focuses for Christian Socialism. For the sake of justice, he stood bail for Oscar Wilde, even though the two men scarcely knew one another, and he publicly recommended the abolition of the House of Lords. His passion was education and he was dedicated to the spread of schooling among the poor. Today Headlam is remembered as an important philanthropist, as well as one of the most courageous and radical clergymen ever to serve the Church of England.

   K. Leech, Stewart Headlam (1847–1924) (1968).