John Charles Ryle

John Charles Ryle, by Carlo Pellegrini, 1881.

John Charles Ryle (May 10, 1816 - June 10, 1900) was the first bishop of Liverpool (Anglican / Church of England).

Ryle was born at Macclesfield, and was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was Craven Scholar in 1836.

After holding a curacy at Exbury in Hampshire, he became rector of St Thomas's, Winchester (1843), rector of Helmingham, Suffolk (1844), vicar of Stradbroke (1861), honorary canon of Norwich (1872), and dean of Salisbury (1880). However before taking the latter office, he was advanced to the new see of Liverpool, where he remained until his resignation, which took place three months before his death at Lowestoft.

Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century (1869), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (7 vols, 1856-69), Principles for Churchmen (1884).

His second son, Herbert Edward Ryle was also a bishop.

Some notable theologians deeply influenced by the writings of John Ryle include Martin Loyd Jones, Richard Hobson, and Neil Jackson.

External links

The Evangelical Bishop: The J. C. Ryle Book Shelf:.
The Teaching of the Ritualists not the Teaching of the Church of England (PDF), Church Association Tract 4
*''Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle: An Appreciation
The J. C. Ryle Collection
* What Think Ye of Christ?'', a famous Christmas sermon relating to the question of who is a Christian.