Ramsey, Arthur Michael (1904-1988)

English prelate and archbishop of Canterbury (1961-74). Ramsey's period as archbishop is remembered for the ecumenical dialogues he encouraged, most notably the talks on union between the Church of England and the Methodists, and for the ‘Honest to God’ controversy provoked by Bishop John Robinson. In 1966 he visited Pope Paul VI.

Ramsey was born in Cambridge, England. He was educated at Repton and Magdalene College, Cambridge University. Ordained in 1928, he worked as a curate in Liverpool, England, and later at Lincoln Theological College, Boston parish church, and St Benedict's, Cambridge. During 1940-50 he was canon of Durham and professor of divinity at Durham University, and he became bishop of Durham in 1952. In 1956 he was appointed archbishop of York, and in 1961 he succeeded Geoffrey Fisher as archbishop of Canterbury. He resigned in 1974 and was made Baron Ramsey of Canterbury. Among his publications are The Gospel and the Catholic Church (1936), The Resurrection of Christ (1944), The Glory of God and the Transfiguration of Christ (1949), From Gore to Temple (1960), Sacred and Secular (1965), and Canterbury Pilgrim (1974).