Description
John Habgood (1927-2019) was Archbishop of York from 1983-1995, and prior to that had served ten years as Bishop of Durham. 'Just John', the biography written at Lord Habgood's request and with his full cooperation while alive, is warm, witty and affectionate. Nonetheless, as its title implies, it is a truthful portrayal of the man that John Habgood was - guileless, flawed, just. 'Just John' is the authorised biography of the former Archbishop of York, John Habgood, by one of the people who knew him best, author and Bishop, David Wilbourne. Published on the first anniversary of John Habgood's death on 6 March 2019, this Christian biography by David Wilbourne offers an honest and insightful look into Lord Habgood's life as an Anglican theologian and former Archbishop of York. John Habdood's ability to mediate and solve what seemed impossible problems, both in the Church and modern society, is legendary. However, his formidable intellect and shy manner could make him seem a distant, enigmatic figure. 'Just John' is a biography written with meticulous detail and full of interesting personal history and anecdotes. This biography by David Wilbourne also features extracts from John Habgood's personal diary that he kept, reveals the story behind the issue of the fateful Crockford Preface and analyses Habgood's friendships with Bishops Peter and Michael Ball. Through reading this book about John Habgood, the reader will feel as if they know Habgood and have a greater understanding of the interesting yet guarded life he lived.
'Just John' is the authorised biography of John Habgood by one of the people who knew him best, that 'ecclesiastical version of Alan Bennett', Bishop David Wilbourne.
About the Author
DAVID WILBOURNE was Assistant Bishop of Llandaff from 2009 until 2017, and previously worked as chaplain to two Archbishops of York, John Habgood and David Hope. He is a frequent after-dinner speaker, radio and TV broadcaster, guest preacher, and retreat and conference leader. Renowned for his ability to strike a balance between the humorous and the poignant, his many books include John Habgood's biography, Just John and Shepherd of Another Flock: The Charming Tale of a New Vicar in a Yorkshire Country Town -which was hailed by the TLS as 'glorious'.
Reviews
An absolutely beautiful piece of work which well catches Archbishop Habgood, the last Anglican theologian I used to make the walk to the Lords' chamber to hear speak. Lord Habgood would smile with pleasure and amusement to read it. -- Matthew Parris
Few are better placed than David Wilbourne to open up the life of one of the twentieth century's great Anglican figures. Scientist of precocious prodigy, shooter of silent looks, sincerely loved pastor and friend; all the sides of the astonishing man that was John Habgood are brought to life here with wit, poignancy, and affection. -- Fergus Butler-Gallie, author of A Field Guide to the English Clergy
Beautiful, humorous, touching and revealing. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
With all the wit and originality of his earlier books, David Wilbourne offers a warm, perceptive portrait of one of the great Anglican intellects of the last hundred years. Those who thought John Habgood only a cerebral and rather remote personality will find a very three-dimensional figure here; and we are given some sense of just what a rich - and sometimes even risky - contribution Archbishop Habgood made to the good of both society and Church. -- Lord Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-12)
Lord Habgood was a towering presence, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, and David paints a wonderful picture of this sorely missed servant of God. -- John Sentamu, Archbishop of York (2005-20)
'In this excellent biography the true John Habgood emerges . . . I count it a huge privilege to have worked closely with John, a wise human being and clearly one of the outstanding Archbishops of the twentieth century.' -- Lord Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991-2002)
John Habgood was a man of great intellectual and moral substance who played a key role at a difficult time for the Church of England. David Wilbourne, his former chaplain, catches the essence of the man with admiration, affection and humour in this highly readable and important biography. -- Lord Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford (1987-2006)
As Archbishop's Chaplain the author was privileged to know and understand him. For those who stood in awe of Archbishop John and thought him aloof, this book portrays a man of prayer and personal simplicity, devoted to his family and a caring pastor. The author tells the story of John Habgood with admiration, affection and with humour which brings both tears of laughter and tears of sadness at the loss of a great and wise Archbishop. -- Dame Mary Tanner
This biography is perceptive, sensitive, wide-ranging, intelligent and honest, qualities which John Habgood himself possessed in abundance. It captures him magnificently and shows how very fortunate the Church of England - and the wider Church - was to have this prayerful, thoughtful, highly articulate apologist as one of its leaders, even if it did not always appreciate the great gifts he put at its disposal. -- Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales (2003-17)
David Wilbourne's rooted biography has taught me much about John the human being, who delighted in the sacrament of the present moment, and who seems to go on teaching me how to be a Christian and a bishop. -- Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich
With his perceptive insights and sometimes wry sense of humour, David Wilbourne brings 'Just John' to life as a towering intellect, a pastor, priest and bishop bearing the huge burdens and responsibilities of both Church and state, yet never succumbing to the pettiness of factions, disputes and differences - and always seeking to bring and hold people together. -- Lord David Hope, Archbishop of York (1995-2005)
A sensitive, insightful and loving portrait of a great Archbishop of York. -- George Stack, RC Archbishop of Cardiff
With his customary wit and nerve to tell it as it is, David Wilbourne well catches John Habgood, who despite his alleged coldness, was one of the most genuine and gentle of men. -- Gordon Bates, Bishop of Whitby (1983-99)
John Habgood was a giant of the twentieth century and no-one is better placed to write his biography than David Wilbourne . . . David has poetry in his soul and writes beautifully as well as perceptively. -- John Inge, Bishop of Worcester
Someone described a biography as a novel with an index! As John Habgood's last Episcopal appointment, I can vouch that this is no novel. Bishop David Wilbourne, once his Chaplain, captures faithfully the public face and the private thoughts of one of the greatest bishops of the twentieth century. David ministered with him and to him. He shows how John Habgood shaped the Church of England and defined its role and relationship to the State. In these pages you'll hear the Archbishop's wisdom, feel his pastoral touch and see his vision for a Church immersed and baptized into God's world. -- James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (1998-2013)
A beautifully-crafted and intimate portrait of one of the Church of England's most profound thinkers of recent times. -- Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christ Church, Oxford, BBC Radio Four Thought for the Day contributor, author and BBC producer
. . . provides a rich pageant of the life of the Church of England in the latter half of the 20th century . . . warmly recommended. * Transforming Ministry *
A valuable biography of an unusually influential priest, scientist, college principal, bishop, archbishop, husband and father. -- Malcolm Grundy * Rural Theology *
Book Information
ISBN 9780281058280
Author The Rt Revd David Wilbourne
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 588g
'Just John' is the authorised biography of John Habgood by one of the people who knew him best, that 'ecclesiastical version of Alan Bennett', Bishop David Wilbourne.
About the Author
DAVID WILBOURNE was Assistant Bishop of Llandaff from 2009 until 2017, and previously worked as chaplain to two Archbishops of York, John Habgood and David Hope. He is a frequent after-dinner speaker, radio and TV broadcaster, guest preacher, and retreat and conference leader. Renowned for his ability to strike a balance between the humorous and the poignant, his many books include John Habgood's biography, Just John and Shepherd of Another Flock: The Charming Tale of a New Vicar in a Yorkshire Country Town -which was hailed by the TLS as 'glorious'.
Reviews
An absolutely beautiful piece of work which well catches Archbishop Habgood, the last Anglican theologian I used to make the walk to the Lords' chamber to hear speak. Lord Habgood would smile with pleasure and amusement to read it. -- Matthew Parris
Few are better placed than David Wilbourne to open up the life of one of the twentieth century's great Anglican figures. Scientist of precocious prodigy, shooter of silent looks, sincerely loved pastor and friend; all the sides of the astonishing man that was John Habgood are brought to life here with wit, poignancy, and affection. -- Fergus Butler-Gallie, author of A Field Guide to the English Clergy
Beautiful, humorous, touching and revealing. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
With all the wit and originality of his earlier books, David Wilbourne offers a warm, perceptive portrait of one of the great Anglican intellects of the last hundred years. Those who thought John Habgood only a cerebral and rather remote personality will find a very three-dimensional figure here; and we are given some sense of just what a rich - and sometimes even risky - contribution Archbishop Habgood made to the good of both society and Church. -- Lord Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-12)
Lord Habgood was a towering presence, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, and David paints a wonderful picture of this sorely missed servant of God. -- John Sentamu, Archbishop of York (2005-20)
'In this excellent biography the true John Habgood emerges . . . I count it a huge privilege to have worked closely with John, a wise human being and clearly one of the outstanding Archbishops of the twentieth century.' -- Lord Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991-2002)
John Habgood was a man of great intellectual and moral substance who played a key role at a difficult time for the Church of England. David Wilbourne, his former chaplain, catches the essence of the man with admiration, affection and humour in this highly readable and important biography. -- Lord Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford (1987-2006)
As Archbishop's Chaplain the author was privileged to know and understand him. For those who stood in awe of Archbishop John and thought him aloof, this book portrays a man of prayer and personal simplicity, devoted to his family and a caring pastor. The author tells the story of John Habgood with admiration, affection and with humour which brings both tears of laughter and tears of sadness at the loss of a great and wise Archbishop. -- Dame Mary Tanner
This biography is perceptive, sensitive, wide-ranging, intelligent and honest, qualities which John Habgood himself possessed in abundance. It captures him magnificently and shows how very fortunate the Church of England - and the wider Church - was to have this prayerful, thoughtful, highly articulate apologist as one of its leaders, even if it did not always appreciate the great gifts he put at its disposal. -- Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales (2003-17)
David Wilbourne's rooted biography has taught me much about John the human being, who delighted in the sacrament of the present moment, and who seems to go on teaching me how to be a Christian and a bishop. -- Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich
With his perceptive insights and sometimes wry sense of humour, David Wilbourne brings 'Just John' to life as a towering intellect, a pastor, priest and bishop bearing the huge burdens and responsibilities of both Church and state, yet never succumbing to the pettiness of factions, disputes and differences - and always seeking to bring and hold people together. -- Lord David Hope, Archbishop of York (1995-2005)
A sensitive, insightful and loving portrait of a great Archbishop of York. -- George Stack, RC Archbishop of Cardiff
With his customary wit and nerve to tell it as it is, David Wilbourne well catches John Habgood, who despite his alleged coldness, was one of the most genuine and gentle of men. -- Gordon Bates, Bishop of Whitby (1983-99)
John Habgood was a giant of the twentieth century and no-one is better placed to write his biography than David Wilbourne . . . David has poetry in his soul and writes beautifully as well as perceptively. -- John Inge, Bishop of Worcester
Someone described a biography as a novel with an index! As John Habgood's last Episcopal appointment, I can vouch that this is no novel. Bishop David Wilbourne, once his Chaplain, captures faithfully the public face and the private thoughts of one of the greatest bishops of the twentieth century. David ministered with him and to him. He shows how John Habgood shaped the Church of England and defined its role and relationship to the State. In these pages you'll hear the Archbishop's wisdom, feel his pastoral touch and see his vision for a Church immersed and baptized into God's world. -- James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (1998-2013)
A beautifully-crafted and intimate portrait of one of the Church of England's most profound thinkers of recent times. -- Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christ Church, Oxford, BBC Radio Four Thought for the Day contributor, author and BBC producer
. . . provides a rich pageant of the life of the Church of England in the latter half of the 20th century . . . warmly recommended. * Transforming Ministry *
A valuable biography of an unusually influential priest, scientist, college principal, bishop, archbishop, husband and father. -- Malcolm Grundy * Rural Theology *
Book Information
ISBN 9780281058280
Author The Rt Revd David Wilbourne
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 588g
