Thompson, Hugh Miller

(June 5, 1830-Nov. 18, 1902). Bishop and theologian. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland. Thompson came to the United States when he was six years old and later studied at Nashotah House. He was ordained deacon on June 6, 1852, and priest on Aug. 31, 1856. His early ministry was spent as a missionary in Wisconsin and Illinois. While in Wisconsin he served as professor of ecclesiastical history at Nashotah House, 1860-1870. During those same years he was editor of the American Churchman. He also founded Kemper Hall, a school for girls. In 1871-1872, Thompson was rector of St. James' Church, Chicago, and from 1872 until 1875, he was the rector of Christ Church, New York. From 1876 until his election as bishop, he was rector of Trinity Church, New Orleans. On Feb. 24, 1883, Thompson was consecrated Assistant Bishop of Mississippi. He became the second Bishop of the diocese on Feb. 13, 1887. He served as bishop until his death. Many of the editorials he wrote for the American Churchman were collected and published in books. He wrote a number of books, including The World and the Logos (1886) and The World and the Kingdom (1888), which won him a significant reputation as a theologian. He was in the high church tradition but was an opponent of extreme ritualism. His editorials expressed concern for the oppressed and the disenfranchised. Thompson died in Jackson, Mississippi.