HOBHOUSE, EDMUND (1817-1904), the first bishop of Nelson, was a son of the Rt Hon Henry Hobhouse and brother of Lord Hobhouse. Born in London on 17 Apr 1817, he was educated at Eton and Oxford. He graduated B.A. (at Balliol, 1838), M.A. (at Merton, 1842) and B.D. at Durham (1850). In 1841 he was ordained deacon and became a fellow of Merton College, and two years later vicar of St Peter's-in-the-East, Oxford.

Having declined to be a candidate for the bishopric of Christchurch (1856), Hobhouse was chosen in 1857 for the see of Nelson. He was consecrated with Abraham (q.v.) in Lambeth Church on 29 Sep 1858, receiving later the honorary D.D. of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham. Arriving in Nelson in Feb 1859, he attended the first general synod in Wellington before his installation. Hobhouse had to carry out the organisation of the new bishopric and its committees and institutions. He visited every corner of his wide diocese, on horseback or on foot, opening new churches in many districts in Nelson, Marlborough and what is now north Canterbury. He naturally became involved in much criticism, which he studiously ignored in the interests of peace. The whole of his stipend he devoted to diocesan objects, and he made the splendid gift to the diocese of Bishopdale and the first part of the old bishop's house.

Owing to failing health he intimated his intention of resigning (Aug 1864). A few months later his wife died. Released from his charge in Dec 1865, he returned to England, to spend many years in partial retirement. From 1869 to 1880 he was assistant to the Bishop of Lichfield, and for one year chancellor of the diocese. He died 20 Apr 1904.

Hobhouse married first (1858) Mary Elizabeth, daughter of General the Hon John Brodrick; and second (1868) Anna, daughter of Dr Williams, warden of New College. One of his sons was the Ven Walter Hobhouse (Bampton lecturer and editor of The Guardian).

Nelson Dioc. Gaz., Oct 1933. Portrait: Nelson Evening Mail, 11 Dec 1926.

Reference: Volume 1, page 214

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