COWPER, William Macquarie (1810-1902)

dean of Sydney

son of Rev. William Cowper, D.D (q.v.), was born at Sydney on 3 July 1810. Educated by his father and at Oxford he graduated B.A., 1833, and M.A. 1835. On returning to Australia in 1836 he was chaplain at Port Stephens for 20 years, and then principal of Moore College, Sydney, for a few months in 1856. In 1858 he succeeded his father at St Philip's church, Sydney, and in the same year was appointed archdeacon and dean of Sydney. He several times acted as commissary for bishops Barker (q.v.) and Barry (q.v.) during their absences in England, and showed much administrative ability. He was venerated and loved for his piety and kindliness and died in his ninety-second year on 14 June 1902 honoured by all. He was married twice and was survived by children. He published in 1888 Episcopate of the Right Reverend Frederic Barker, D.D., and his The Autobiography and Reminiscences of William Macquarie Cowper appeared soon after his death.

Sydney Morning Herald, 16 June 1902; W. M. Cowper, Autobiography and Reminiscences; Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1902.