Robert Dolling

Robert W. G. Dolling
Born	(1851-02-10)February 10, 1851 Magheralin, County Down
Died	South Kensington, London
Nationality	English
Alma mater	Cambridge University
Occupation	Anglican priest

Robert William Radclyffe Dolling (10 February 1851 in Magheralin, County Down, Northern Ireland – 15 May 1902 in South Kensington, London, England), often referred to as "Father Dolling", was a British Anglican priest.

Life

Dolling was educated at Harrow School and Cambridge University. From 1878 to 1882 he was warden of one of the houses of the Postmen's League, started by Father Arthur Henry Stanton of St. Alban's, Holborn. He was ordained in 1883 to a curacy at Corscombe, Dorset, but resided in London as head of St Martin's Mission, Stepney.

In 1885 a difficulty as to the relation of his mission to Holy Trinity Parish, Stepney, led to his resignation, and he next accepted the charge of St Agatha's, Landport, the Winchester College mission. The reforms he accomplished there were described in his Ten Years in a Portsmouth Slum (London 1896). In 1895 he again resigned owing to the refusal of Randall Davidson, Bishop of Winchester, to sanction the extreme ritual used in the service at St. Agatha's. During his time at the mission he spent a little over £50,000. Despite extensive fundraising when he resigned there was still an outstanding debt of £3,090, for which Dolling was responsible. He paid this off through sales of his book and further fundraising.

In 1897 Dolling visited the United States, where his preaching made an impression. He returned to the UK in the following year as vicar of St Saviour's, Poplar, and retained the living until his death.

References

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External links

An account of Dolling's person and missionary work among the poor is given in The Life of Father Dolling (London, 1903) by the Rev. C.E. Osborne.