Full Name:
Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams

Official Title:
The Most Reverend, His Grace The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury

Date of Birth:
14 June 1950

Place of Birth:
Swansea, Wales

Parents:
Aneurin and Delphine Williams

Education:
Dynevor School, Swansea;
Christ’s College, University of Cambridge (B.A. 1971. M.A. 1975);
Wadham College, University of Oxford (D.Phil 1975);

Ordained:
1977, Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire

Career:
Lecturer, College of Resurrection (1975-77);
Parishioner, Westcott House, Cambridge (1977-80)
Curate, St. Georges Church, Chesterton (1980-83)
Lecturer, University of Cambridge (1983-84)
Dean, Clare College, Cambidge (1984-86)
Lady Margaret Professor (Senior Professor) of Divinity, Canon of Christ Church (1986-91)
Bishop of Monmouth (1991-99)
Archbishop of Wales (1999-2002)
Archbishop of Canterbury (2002- Now)

Awards:
Doctor of Divinity in 1989, University of Oxford (1989)
Fellow of the British Academy (1990)
Honorary Student of Christ Church, Oxford
Honorary Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford
Honorary Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge
Honorary Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge
Membership in the Privy Council of The United Kingdom (2002)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Kent (2003)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Wales (2003)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Bonn (2004)
Honorary Doctor of Civil Law, University of Oxford (2005)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Cambridge (2006)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of Toronto (2006)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Durham University (2007)
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (2010)
Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, 2010
Order of Friendship (Russia), 2010
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Leuven Catholic University, Belgium (2011)

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury and is the effective head of the over 80 million Anglicans worldwide. The Diocese of Canterbury was founded in 597AD and was pledged to the Roman Holy See. However, the English Revolution of the 16th century (which culminated with the Glorious Revolution in 1688) effectively transformed the Catholic churches in the land, along with the Canterbury cathedral, into an Anglican one, turning it effectively into an arm of the state. Consequently, the institution of the Church became a liege of the monarchy.

It became a symbol of Christianity for the English, and the concept of the Ecclesia Anglicana (Church of England) came to the fore, and the Diocese of Canterbury became its center of authority. Appointments of the Archbishop of Canterbury fell under the jurisdiction of the sovereign, and the position immediately became one of incredible importance, as not only does the designee is accountable for the fundamental doctrine of Christianity in England, and eventually the worldwide Anglican communion, it is also responsible for witnessing all sovereign related events, such as baptism, coronation, weddings and funerals.

On 23 July 2002, sometimes poet, occasional writer, often times priest, The Most Reverend His Grace The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was elected as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and was subsequently confirmed on 2 December 2002. The Welshmen is the first non-English to hold the honor since the 16th century.

Married to fellow lecturer, Jane Paul, since 1981, the father of two is one of the most renowned Christian scholar of the modern age. He is also well known for his liberal leanings on Christianity, politics and socioeconomical issues, although this has sometimes proven to be an issue with the more conservative minded Anglicans, both from the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.

There were initially fears among the Anglican community that the Most Reverend Dr. Williams may have been overlooked for the impending marriage between HRH Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton owing to a lack of announcement by either the Palace or Clarence House on the matter. Speculation mounted that his often controversial stances has relegated him behind Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, as the officiating cleric for the wedding. However, palace aides, speaking under condition of anonymity, has revealed that the Most Reverend Dr. Williams will be indeed tasked with the role, alongside Bishop Chartres who will be reading the sermon and the Very Rev John Hall, the Dean of the Westminster Abbey, who will read the prayers.