Selwyn, George Augustus

(Apr. 5, 1809-Apr. 11, 1878). First Church of England Bishop of New Zealand. He was born in Hempstead, London, England. Selwyn was educated at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge. He was ordained priest in 1833. After parish work at Windsor and tutoring at Eton, he was consecrated the first Church of England Bishop in New Zealand. In 1842 he reached Auckland, which later became the see city. He encouraged churches in the English colonies to be independent of the Church of England. Selwyn was named the Bishop of Lichfield in England in 1868. He remained there until his death. He preached at the 1874 General Convention. His ministry is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Apr. 11. Selwyn died in Lichfield.