Owen and Henry Chadwick

Writer, Historian and Priest/Minister

A small memorial tablet to brothers Owen Chadwick O.M. [Order of Merit] KBE and Henry Chadwick KBE was unveiled by Lady Chadwick (widow of Henry) on 1st February 2018. It is situated on the wall of the south quire aisle of Westminster Abbey, next to the memorial to Richard Dimbleby. Flowers were laid by Owen Chadwick Parsons and readings were given by Priscilla and Stephen Chadwick. Professor Eamon Duffy gave a tribute. Cut by John Nash the inscription on the tablet reads:

OWEN CHADWICK

1916-2015

HENRY CHADWICK

1920-2008

PRIESTS AND SCHOLARS

They were sons of John Chadwick, barrister of Bromley in Kent, and his wife Edith (Horrocks). Owen was educated at Tonbridge School and Cambridge and was ordained. He married Ruth Hallward and they had two sons, Charles and Stephen, and two daughters Helen and Andre. He was Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge from 1956-83, Fellow, Chaplain and Dean of Chapel at Trinity Hall Cambridge from 1947 and Regius Professor of Modern History 1968-83. From 1969-71 he was Vice Chancellor. He became one of the most remarkable men of letters of the 20th century but declined the offer of several bishoprics. After retirement he was chancellor of the university of East Anglia and died on 17th July 2015.

Professor Henry Chadwick was educated at Eton and Cambridge. From 1969-79 he was Dean of Christ Church, Oxford and Regius Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ Church 1959-69. Amongst his other posts he was Chaplain and Dean of Queens College, Cambridge 1946-58 and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford university 1974-5. Like his brother he was also a prolific writer and from 1954-85 was editor of the Journal of Theological Studies. He worked to great effect in the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. His wife was Margaret (Peggy) Brownrigg and they had three daughters Priscilla, Hilary and Juliet.