William White

William White (April 4, 1748 N.S. – July 17, 1836) was the first and fourth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States (1789; 1795–1836), the first bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania (1787–1836), and the second United States Senate Chaplain (appointed December 9, 1790). He also served as the first and fourth President of the House of Deputies for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church (1785, 1789). Education and ordination Born in Philadelphia, White began his education at College of Philadelphia (which was later known as the University of Pennsylvania), taking his B.A. in 1765 and his A.M. about three years later. In 1770, he sailed for England on the ship Britannia, for his ordination as a deacon by Philip Yonge, Bishop of Norwich (but with the authorisation of Richard Terrick, Bishop of London), which took place in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace on December 23, 1770. He subsequently returned to England on two occasions: once in 1772, to be ordained priest (again at the Chapel Royal, by Terrick on April 17), and again in 1787, when he was consecrated bishop on February 4 at Lambeth Palace Chapel by John Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury; William Markham, Archbishop of York; Charles Moss, Bishop of Bath and Wells; and John Hinchliffe, Bishop of Peterborough. In 1781, after further theological studies, he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Consecrators John Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury William Markham, Archbishop of York Charles Moss, Bishop of Bath and Wells John Hinchliffe, Bishop of Peterborough William White was the second bishop consecrated for the Episcopal Church of the United States. Samuel Seabury of Connecticut had been first, consecrated in 1784 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Ministry Rector of St. Peter's and of Christ Church for 57 years, White also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1789, and subsequently as Chaplain of the Senate.