WARD, BERNARD

Bishop, ecclesiastical historian; b. Ware, Hertfordshire, England, Feb. 4, 1857; d. Brentwood, Jan. 21, 1920. His father, William George ward, was closely associated with the oxford movement. After studying at St. Edmund's College in Ware, where his father lectured on theology, and at Oscott, Ward was ordained in 1882. Returning to St. Edmund's, he acted as prefect (1882–85), vice president (1890–92), and president (1892–1916). As president he set out to revive its fortunes; he extended accommodations, doubled the enrollment, and reorganized the program of studies. After resigning to become missionary rector at Brook Green, he was soon appointed administrator apostolic of the new Diocese of Brentwood, and consecrated as its first bishop (Apr. 10, 1917). He saw the Catholic population of his diocese increase from 26,000 to 40,000 and the number of priests from 78 to 90, by 1920.

After publishing the History of St. Edmund's College (1893), Ward took the suggestion offered by the bishop of Clifton and began research on the history of British Catholicism during its most neglected period. His resultant seven–volume masterpiece, The Dawn of the Catholic Revival in England 1781–1803 (2 v. 1909), The Eve of Catholic Emancipation, 1803–1829 (3 v. 1911–12), and The Sequel to Catholic Emancipation, 1830–1850 (2v. 1915), has become the standard authority, notable for its wealth of information, literary skill, and balanced judgment. Ward wrote also Catholic London A Century Ago (1905) and The Priestly Vocation (1913), a contribution to the Westminster Library for Priests and Students, of which he was the joint editor.

Bibliography: Tablet (London) 135 (1920) 117–120. m. ward, The Wilfrid Wards and the Transition, 2 v. (New York 1934–37).

[d. milburn]