Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cowper, William (1780-1858)
COWPER, WILLIAM, D.D. (1780–1858), archdeacon, born at Whittington, Lancashire, 28 Dec. 1780, took holy orders in 1808, held for a time a cure of souls at Rawdon, near Leeds, but having obtained the post of colonial chaplain left England for Sydney, where he landed on 18 Aug. 1809. There he held the benefice of St. Philip's. He was long connected with and chiefly concerned in organising the Australian branches of the Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and the Benevolent Society. He paid a brief visit to England in 1842. On his return to Australia he was appointed archdeacon of Cumberland and Camden (1848). In 1852 he acted as Bishop Broughton's commissary during the absence of that prelate in Europe. His example and influence helped to raise the tone of society in the colony. He died on 6 July 1858. His son was Sir Charles Cowper [q. v.]
[Times, 6 Sept. 1851, col. 9; Heaton's Australian Dict. of Dates.]