Howard Masterman

Who was Howard Masterman?

John Howard Bertram Masterman was the first Anglican Bishop of Plymouth from 1923 to 1933.

Masterman was the grandson of William Brodie Gurney and the brother of the Liberal MP C.F.G. Masterman. He was the husband of Theresa and father of Cyril Masterman OBE.

Masterman was educated at University College School and St John's College, Cambridge. He was a distinguished academic and held incumbencies at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport and St Mary-le-Bow in the City of London before his ordination to the episcopate in 1923, a position he held until his death 10 years later. His hymn, "Almighty Father, who dost give", was included in The Australian Hymn Book, 1977, no.541, set to the tune "Vermont" by the Australian composer, Alfred Ernest Floyd.