James Saurin

Who was James Saurin?

James Saurin was an Irish Anglican bishop in the 19th century. He was the last Bishop of Dromore before it was merged with the Diocese of Down and Connor.

He was born in Belfast, the third of the four sons of the Revd. James Saurin, vicar of Belfast and Jane Duff. William Saurin, Attorney General for Ireland, was his elder brother. The Saurins were of Hugenot extraction, originally from Nimes in France, and it was probably the Bishop's grandfather, Louis, who settled in Ireland about 1727; Louis was a brother of the celebrated preacher Jacques Saurin.

Like his brothers, James was educated at Dubourdien's School, a well-regarded private academy in Lisburn.

He married Elizabeth Lyster and had a numerous family, including James, Archdeacon of Dromore, and Colonel William Saurin. William Saurin Lyster, the celebrated Australian actor, was a nephew.

A former Dean of Derry, Archdeacon of Dublin and Dean of Cork he was the Bishop of Dromore from 1819 to 1842. He lived mainly at Dun Laoghaire where he died in office on 9 April 1842. He was buried in St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street.