Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Tucker, Henry William
TUCKER, HENRY WILLIAM (1830–1902), secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, born at Exeter on 17 Aug. 1830, was only son of William Tucker of Exeter, barrister-at-law, by Sophia, daughter of Colonel Cole of Pedmore, Worcestershire. He entered Exeter grammar school on 1 Feb. 1841, and matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, in Dec. 1850. He graduated B.A. in 1854 and M.A. in 1859. Ordained deacon in 1854 and priest in 1855, he was successively curate of Chantry, Somerset (1854–6), West Buckland, Devonshire (1856–60), and Devoran, Cornwall (1860–5). At Chantry he came under the notice of Richard William Church [q. v. Suppl. I], then rector of Whatley, Somerset, and afterwards dean of St. Paul's. In 1865 Tucker was appointed an assistant secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He brought to his work zeal, industry, a remarkable memory and a strong will. In 1875 he undertook additional work in the secretaryship to the associates of Dr. Bray, an organisation allied in origin to the S.P.G. In 1879 he succeeded W. T. Bullock as principal secretary of the S.P.G., becoming also hon. secretary of the colonial bishoprics fund. In 1881 the bishop of London (Jackson) made history a prebendary of St. Paul's.
Tucker well served the S.P.G. for thirty-six years, notably promoting the colonial and missionary work of the society. When he joined the society's staff there were only forty-seven colonial and missionary sees; when he resigned there were 103. He was consulted by successive primates as to the church's work abroad (cf. A. C. Benson's Edward White Benson, ii. 450-2). Archbishop Benson described Tucker as one of two persons 'for whom I have as much respect as I have for any people in this world' (Report of the Missionary Conference of the Anglican Communion, 1894, p. 15). Tucker's methods, often autocratic, created resentment, especially in his later years. He resigned in July 1901, when the society acknowledged his 'invaluable assistance and unexampled services.' He declined the deanery of Salisbury, and died at Florence on 3 Jan. 1902, being buried in the English cemetery there. He married in 1860 his second cousin, Jeannetta, daughter of William Tucker of Exeter, and left one daughter.
Tucker published:
- 'Under His Banner,' 1872.
- 'Memoirs of the Life and Episcopate of Edward Field, D.D., Bishop of Newfoundland. 1844-1876,' 1877.
- 'Memoir of the Life and Episcopate of G. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand, 1867-1878,' 1879.
- 'The English Church in Other Lands,' 1886.
He also edited 'A Classified Digest of the Records of the S.P.G.,' 1893.
[The Times, 7 Jan. 1902; Guardian, 8 and 15 Jan. 1902; Mission Field, Nov. 1901; Foster's Alumni Oxonienses; private information.]