Michael Whinney

Who is Michael Whinney?

Michael Humphrey Dickens Whinney is a Church of England bishop who served in two episcopal posts: he is also the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens.

He was born in Chelsea, London on 8 July 1930 and educated at Charterhouse School and Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1957 after an earlier career as an accountant. His first ministry position was as a curate at Rainham after which he held two posts in Bermondsey, firstly as priest in charge of the Cambridge University Mission Settlement and later as the vicar of St James' with Christ Church. He became the Archdeacon of Southwark before being ordained to the episcopate in 1982 as the Bishop of Aston. After three years he was translated to be the Bishop of Southwell where he remained until 1988. In retirement he continues to serve as an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Birmingham.