BROMBY, CHARLES HENRY (18141907)

son of the Rev. J. H. Bromby and brother of Dr J. E. Bromby (q.v.), was born at Hull, England, on 11 July 1814. He was educated at Uppingham School and St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1837 with third-class honours in classics, M.A. in 1840 and D.D. in 1864. He was a curate at Chesterfield from 1838-9, and then headmaster of Stepney Grammar School. In 1843 he was appointed vicar of St Paul's, Cheltenham, and was joint-founder and principal of the Cheltenham training college for teachers from 1843 to 1864. He published in 1846 The Sorrows of Bethany and other Sermons, which was followed by The Pupil Teacher's English Grammar (1848), and a volume on Liturgy and Church History (1852). The third edition of this appeared in 1862 under the title of Church Students' Manual. In 1864 he was appointed bishop of Tasmania, the last Australian bishop nominated by the crown, and was consecrated in Canterbury cathedral. In 1868, when the question of the abolishing of state aid to religion was dealt with, Bromby was largely responsible for the passing of the commutation act which resulted in the Church of England in Tasmania receiving about £60,000 as a perpetual endowment instead of the former yearly payments. Early in 1869 a contract was made for the building of the nave of St David's cathedral, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1874. In 1880 Bromby visited England, and in 1882 resigned his see. His episcopate was marked by the building of several new churches and a great increase in the number of clergy.

On Bromby's return to England he became rector of Shrawardine-cum-Montford (1882-1887), and assistant-bishop of Lichfield (1882-1891). He was also warden of St John's Hospital, Lichfield (1887-1891). He then became assistant bishop to the bishop of Bath and Wells until he resigned in 1900 at the age of 86.Henceforth he lived in retirement with his son, Canon Bromby, at Clifton, and died there on 14 April 1907. In addition to the works mentioned Bromby published several sermons and addresses in pamphlet form. He married in 1839 Mary Anne, daughter of Dr Bodley of Brighton, and there were several children. The eldest son, Henry Bodley Bromby (1840-1911), was educated at Cheltenham College and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was a good all round athlete representing his college at cricket, football and rowing. He was ordained deacon in 1864 and went with his father to Tasmania. He became dean of Hobart in 1876 and exercised influence for good on the church life of Tasmania. He was, however, a churchman and came into conflict with the extreme section of those opposed to his views. He resigned in 1884, returned to England, worked at St Bartholomew's Smithfield, and in 1885 was offered the parish of Bethnal Green. He was there until 1892 when he became incumbent of All Saints, Clifton, where he had full scope for his unusually sympathetic and understanding powers. "It was the ceaseless sympathy—for all the woes and sins of his flock that led multitudes to his feet as a father confessor" (memoir by J. H. B. Mace). The consequent over-work eventually led to a breakdown of health and he died on 21 December 1911. His brother, Charles Hamilton Bromby (1843-1904), was educated at Cheltenham College, and St Edmund Hall, Oxford. He was called to the bar in 1867, went to Tasmania, and was elected a member of the house of assembly. He was attorney-general in the Reibey (q.v.) ministry from July 1876 to August 1877. He returned to England in 1879 and practised as a barrister until his death on 24 July 1904. He was a well-known Chaucer and Dante scholar and published a translation of Dante's Quaestia de Aqua et Terra in 1897. He edited the third edition of E. Spike's Law of Master and Servant in 1872, and his Alkibiades, A Tale of the great Athenian War was posthumously published in 1905.