Anderson, David

David Anderson was the first Bishop of Rupert's Land, a former territory made up of lands around Hudson's Bay and stretching down through what is now Canada and into the United States. He was born in Hans Place, London, England in 1814, educated at Oxford University and ordained deacon in 1837. He then became a priest in 1838 in Liverpool, and remained there until he became the Vice Principal of St. Bees College in Cumberland from 1841 to 1847. He was the perpetual curate of All Saints' Church in Derby from 1848 - 1849. He was consecrated Bishop of Rupert's Land in 1849. He purchased Red River Academy at this time, and renamed it to St. John's Collegiate School. He introduced a rigorous course of classical studies, modern languages, and mathematics, and began a library which had 800 volumes by 1855. The school, also a seminary, provided a thorough education and sent two scholars to Cambridge and one to University of Toronto, as well as eight priests to interior missions. In 1864, he resigned the See of Rupert's Land, and became a vicar in Bristol until 1881. He was also the chancellor of St. Paul's Cathedral in London during this time, until 1885, when he passed away in Clifton, Bristol.