SELWYN, JOHN RICHARDSON (1844-98), the younger son of George Augustus Selwyn (q.v.) was born at Waimate, educated in part at St John's College, Auckland, and proceeded to England (1854), where he went to Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a good oarsman. Not a keen scholar, he graduated B.A. (1866) and M.A. (1870). He intended entering the legal profession, but was so impressed with the work of his father when he visited New Zealand in 1867, and by Bishop Patteson that he decided to enter the church. He was ordained by his father (then Bishop of Lichfield) in 1869. He was curate at Alrewas for more than a year, then curate-in-charge at St George's, Wolverhampton, where he became vicar. On the death of Bishop Patteson (1871) Selwyn offered his services for Melanesia. He married (1872) Miss Clara Innes and they reached their station at Norfolk Island late in 1873.

Selwyn soon showed gifts of leadership which marked him out for the direction of this difficult and unhealthy diocese, and his nomination was confirmed by the general synod of New Zealand in 1877. He was consecrated at Nelson in Feb and entered upon his work. The loss of his wife and his father spurred him to further devotion to the cause. In 1885 he married Miss Annie Mort. In 1889 recurrent attacks of rheumatism and ague caused permanent disability, which necessitated his retirement from Melanesia (1890). He was then invited to accept the mastership of Selwyn College, Cambridge, which had been founded as a memorial to his father, and he held that post until his death on 12 Feb 1898. Selwyn was a typical missionary bishop, tactful, industrious and courageous, with a simple religious faith and a manly endurance of pain. His influence was largely responsible for the establishment of Cambridge House in London, and he introduced many undergraduates to the mission field. He published Pastoral Work in the Colonies and the Mission Field (1897).

J. K. Davis (p); D.N.B.; F. D. How; Curteis; Auckland Weekly News, 19 Feb 1898.

Reference: Volume 2, page 146

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