Philpotts

Philpotts, or PHILLPOTTS, HENRY, was born at Bridgwater, 6th May 1778, studied at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and was elected Fellow of Magdalen in 1795. He became prebendary of Durham in 1809, Dean of Chester in 1828, and Bishop of Exeter in 1831. A zealous Tory, an extreme High Churchman, and combative by disposition, he was ever the foremost in opposition to measures of reform, and his name would survive if only for his prolonged but unsuccessful refusal to institute Mr Gorham (q.v.) for not believing in baptismal regeneration. Yet if he was narrow he was devoted and sincere, his standard of a bishop's duties was an unusually high one, and he was much beloved throughout his diocese. He died near Torquay, 18th September 1869. See his Life, Times, and Writings, by the Rev. R. N. Shutte (vol. i. 1863).