James Henry Darlington

Who was James Henry Darlington?

James Henry Darlington was the first Episcopal bishop of Harrisburg, now jurisdictionally the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

James Henry Darlington was descended from old New England, New York and Virginia colonial families. The name Darlington is French, being originally De Arlington or D'Arlington. He was born at Brooklyn, New York, June 9, 1856, son of Thomas and Hannah Darlington, and a grandson of Peter Darlington. James Henry Darlington entered New York University, graduating from the academic course with the degree of B.A. in 1877; graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1880, receiving in 1884 the degree of Ph.D. from Princeton University and D.D. in 1895 from his alma mater; LL.D. from St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland, in 1905, and from Dickinson College in 1907.

He took deacon's orders in the Episcopal Church in 1882 and was ordained priest by Bishop Littlejohn in the same year. During the year 1882-1883 he was assistant in Christ Church, Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, becoming rector the following year.