John Charles Ryle

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN CHARLES RYLE

John Charles Ryle was born in 1816 at Macclesfield and educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He was a fine athlete who rowed and played Cricket for Oxford.

He was spiritually awakened in 1838 while hearing Ephesians 2 read in church. He was ordained in 1842. For 38 years he was a parish vicar, first at Helmingham and later at Stradbrooke, in Suffolk.

In 1880, at age 64, he became the first bishop of Liverpool, at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

In his diocese, he exercised a vigorous and straightforward preaching ministry. Ryle combined his commanding presence and vigorous advocacy of his principles with graciousness and warmth in his personal relations. Vast numbers of working men and women attended his special preaching meetings, and many were led to faith in Christ.

He retired in 1900 at age 83 and died later the same year.