A Bishop whose influence extended way beyond the pulpit

Educated at Westminster School and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, the flamboyant young Hervey graduated in 1754 with an MA, but it was a circuitous route he followed to get there, according to available records. In 1748 Frederick began studying law at Lincoln’s Inn, but after three years he threw in the towel and left Cambridge without taking his degree.

He married Elizabeth Davers in 1752. She was an attractive daughter from landed gentry living in a neighbouring and rival estate to his family’s ancestral estate at Ickworth in Suffolk.

After two years of marriage Frederick decided to switch from law to theology, setting himself on a course which would eventually result in his arrival in Co Londonderry as the Bishop here in 1768.

Noted as a particularly clever and cultured man, by Hervey 1763 he had been appointed as Chaplain to King George III, and took time to furhter his children’s education in Italy before being consecrated Bishop of Cloyne, Co Cork, in 1767. He was appointed to the seat by his brother, the Third Earl. It was the following year that Hervey came to Londonderry as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and began changing the cityscape here and extending his hand architecturally across the county, particularly and at Downhill.

1: St Columb’s Cathedral spire

Hervey is said to have governed the Diocese wisely and conscientiously.

Those not associated with the congregation and history of St Columb’s Cathedral will be interested to learn that it was none other than Frederick who was responsible for the first Cathedral spire that dominated the Londonderry skyline. According to records, however, the spire had to be dismantled a few years later, as it was too heavy, but it was rebuilt.