Broughton, William Grant (1788-1853), was the first Anglican bishop in Australia. He landed in Sydney as archdeacon of New South Wales in September 1829, and immediately set about establishing an adequate school system for the colony. Because of his efforts, Broughton is regarded as the founder of King’s School, which opened in February 1832 in Parramatta, near Sydney. In March 1834, Broughton left Sydney for England to raise money for church and school needs in the colony. During his visit, he was nominated bishop of Australia. He returned to Australia in June 1836. As bishop, Broughton opposed state aid to Roman Catholic schools and encouraged the construction of churches, including St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney. He also organized Australia into six dioceses. He became bishop of Sydney and metropolitan (chief bishop) of Australia in 1847.
Broughton was born in Chatham, in Kent, England, on May 22, 1788. He worked as a clerk in the East India House for five years before entering Cambridge University. He received a B.A. degree in 1818 and a M.A. degree in 1823. Broughton was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1818. He was appointed archdeacon of New South Wales in 1828. He died in London on Feb. 20, 1853.
