Different Minds
And wholly bright to view,
If one small…
Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-1886) was a distinguished Anglican archbishop, philologist, and poet. Born on September 9, 1807, in Dublin, Ireland, Trench was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He commenced his ecclesiastical career in 1835 as a curate in Hampshire and later served as the rector of Itchenstoke. Trench's scholarly and literary pursuits made him a notable figure in the Victorian era.
Trench is perhaps most renowned for his contributions to philology, particularly for his seminal work "On the Study of Words" (1851). This book is an exploration of language and etymology, emphasizing the moral and philosophical significance of words. His interest in the development and meaning of language culminated in his influential role in the establishment of the Oxford English Dictionary.
In 1856, Trench became Dean of Westminster, a prestigious position he held until 1864, when he was appointed Archbishop of Dublin. During his tenure, he was involved in various ecclesiastical reforms and was a proponent of the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland. Trench also published several volumes of poetry and sermons that reflected his deep theological insights and literary acumen.
Richard Chenevix Trench died on March 28, 1886, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly and religious contributions that continue to be recognized today.