Archibald Campbell Tait

Archibald Campbell Tait (1811–1882) was a prominent theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1868 until his death. His tenure marked a significant moment as he was the first Scottish priest to ascend to the headship of the Church of England. Tait's approach to his office was characterized by a strong practical judgment and a desire for order and peace within the Church, often navigating the complex religious and social currents of the Victorian era.

Life and Ministry

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tait's early life saw him turn from Presbyterianism towards the Scottish Episcopal Church. He was educated at the High School and Edinburgh Academy before attending Balliol College, Oxford, where he excelled in classics and became a fellow and tutor. Ordained deacon in 1836 and priest in 1838, he served a curacy at Marsh Baldon. Tait later became the headmaster of Rugby School in 1842, succeeding Arnold, and then accepted the deanery of Carlisle in 1849, where he was involved in restoring the cathedral and pastoral work. His personal life was marked by profound grief when five of his nine children died of scarlet fever in 1856. Shortly after this tragedy, he was consecrated Bishop of London in November 1856.

Archbishop of Canterbury

In 1868, Tait was translated to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, a position he held for fourteen years. His time as Archbishop was marked by significant administrative and legislative efforts. He continued the work of church-building and inaugurated the Bishop of London's Fund. Tait was deeply interested in the pastoral side of clergy work and, with his wife Catharine, helped establish women's work on a sound basis. He was also actively involved in parliamentary matters, championing measures of practical utility. These included the modification of clerical subscription terms (1865), the introduction of a new lectionary (1871), and the controversial Burials Act of 1880, for which he faced considerable public opposition.

Dealings with Religious Movements

Tait's episcopate coincided with the height of the Oxford Movement and the rise of liberalism in thought. He sympathized with the liberal trend in modern thought but his primary objective was always to secure peace and obedience to the law. This led to a perceived vacillation in his dealings with movements like the "Essays and Reviews" controversy and the case of John William Colenso, where his qualified sympathy was often followed by participation in censure. In matters of ritualism, which brought the Oxford Movement into conflict with established practice, Tait's method was to seek compliance with the law as declared by the courts. When this failed, he strived for obedience to the Ordinary, ultimately leading to the Public Worship Regulation Act of 1874. While he was not solely responsible for all its provisions, the Act led to the deprivation and imprisonment of clergy, a situation that troubled the aged Archbishop, who later worked to mitigate its harsh effects.

Legacy

Archibald Campbell Tait died on December 3, 1882, at Addington, London. He is remembered as a man of conviction who, despite his work in England, remained a Scotsman at heart. While not always perceived as a great ecclesiastical statesman, he administered his office effectively and was a significant public figure of his time. His daughter, Edith Murdoch Tait, married Randall Davidson, who would later also become Archbishop of Canterbury, partly due to Tait's influence. Memorials to Tait include a monument in Edinburgh and a marble bust in Westminster Abbey.