COPLESTON

copleston, edward (1776-1849), english bishop, was born at offwell in devonshire, and educated at oxford. he was elected to a tutorship at oriel college in 1797, and in 1800 was appointed vicar of st mary's, oxford. as university professor of poetry (1802-1812) he gained a considerable reputation by his clever literary criticism and sound latinity. after holding the office of dean at oriel for some years, he succeeded to the provostship in 1814, and owing largely to his influence the college reached a remarkable degree of prosperity during the first quarter of the 19th century. in 1826 he was appointed dean of chester, and in the next year he was consecrated bishop of llandaff. here he gave his support to the new movement for church restoration in wales, and during his occupation of the see more than twenty new churches were built in the diocese. the political problems of the time interested him greatly, and his writings include two able letters to sir robert peel, one dealing with the _variable standard of value_, the other with the _increase of pauperism_ (oxford, 1819).