George Pellew

George Pellew (3 April 1793 – 13 October 1866) was an English churchman and theologian. He served as the Dean of Norwich from 1828 until his death in 1866.

**Early Life and Education**

Pellew was born in Flushing, Cornwall, on 3 April 1793. He was the third son of Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, and his wife Susan Pellew (née Frowde). He attended Eton College from 1808 to 1811. Subsequently, he was admitted as a gentleman-commoner at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, on 20 March 1812. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1815, a Master of Arts in 1818, and obtained his Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees in November 1828.

**Clerical Career**

Pellew was ordained in the Church of England in 1817. His family connections facilitated rapid advancement within the church hierarchy. In February 1819, he was appointed vicar of Nazeing, Essex, by the gift of the Lord Chancellor. In November 1820, he was appointed vicar of Sutton-in-the-Forest, Yorkshire, also through the Lord Chancellor's patronage.

He held various church positions, including the seventh canon of Canterbury Cathedral from 14 November 1822 to 1828, and rector of St. George-the-Martyr in Canterbury during 1827-1828. Pellew was a prebendary of Osbaldwick (15 February 1824 to September 1828) and of Wistow (from 18 September 1828 to 1852) at York Cathedral. He also served as rector of St Dionis Backchurch in London from October 1828 to 1852.

In 1828, Pellew was appointed Dean of Norwich, a position he held until his death, and also became rector of Great Chart, Kent, in 1852, a role he retained until his demise. As Dean of Norwich, he participated actively in convocation debates, maintaining a moderate stance.

**Death and Memorial**

Pellew died on 13 October 1866 at the rectory in Great Chart. Following his death, the east window of the church was decorated with stained glass in his memory.

**Published Works**

He authored sermons and tracts, including a notable ‘Letter to Sir Robert Peel on the means of rendering Cathedral Churches most conducive to the Efficiency of the Established Church’. Many of his sermons were collected in two volumes published in 1848, entitled ‘Sermons on many of the leading Doctrines and Duties taught by the Church of England’. In 1847, he published ‘The Life and Correspondence of Addington, first Viscount Sidmouth,’ which was his father-in-law's biography.

**Family**

On 20 June 1820, Pellew married Frances Addington, the second daughter of Henry Addington, Prime Minister and first Viscount Sidmouth. They had one son, Henry Pellew, who inherited but chose not to assume the title of Viscount Exmouth in 1922, and three daughters. Pellew’s widow died at Speen Hill House, Newbury, Berkshire, on 27 February 1870.