Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Randall, Richard William
RANDALL, RICHARD WILLIAM (1824–1906), dean of Chichester, born at Newbury, Berkshire, on 13 April 1824, was eldest son of James Randall, archdeacon of Berkshire, by his wife Rebe, only daughter of Richard Lowndes of Rose Hill, Dorking. A younger brother, James Leshe, was appointed suffragan bishop of Reading in 1889. Richard entered Winchester College in 1836, and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, on 12 May 1842. He graduated B.A. in 1846, with an hon. fourth class in classics, and proceeded M.A. in 1849 and D.D. in 1892. In 1847 he was ordained to the curacy of Binfield, Berkshire, and in 1851 was nominated to the rectory of Lavington-cum-Graffham, Sussex, in succession to Archdeacon (afterwards Cardinal) Manning [q. v.], who had just seceded to Rome. At Lavington Randall's innovations in high church doctrine and ritual excited some opposition. His name became widely known in high church circles, and he was frequently chosen by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce [q. v.] as preacher of Lenten sermons at Oxford.
In 1868 Randall was presented by the trustees to the new parish of All Saints, Clifton. Under his care All Saints became the centre of high church practice and teaching. Daily services as well as daily celebrations of the holy communion were instituted, and lectures, Bible classes, guilds, and confraternities were organised in the parish. Randall showed himself a capable administrator, and raised large sums in support of church work. Although a staunch ritualist and a supporter of the English Church Union, he avoided romanising excesses. In 1873, owing to complaints as to certain practices at All Saints, Charles John Ellicott [q. v. Suppl. II], bishop of Gloucester, refused to license curates to the church, but he declined to allow proceedings to be taken against Randall under the Pubhc Worship Regulation Act. In 1889 the bishop resumed confirmations in the church, and in 1891 bestowed on Randall an honorary canonry in the cathedral, where he occupied the stall formerly held by his father.
In February 1892 Randall was appointed by Lord Salisbury dean of Chichester. For ten years he earnestly devoted himself to his duties, and he was select preacher at Oxford in 1893-4. Owing to ill-health he retired in 1902, and settled in London. He died at Bournemouth on 23 Dec. 1906, and was buried at Branksome. On 6 Nov. 1849 he married Wilhelmina, daughter of George Augustus Bruxner of the Manor House, Binfield, Berkshire, who survived him with three sons and three daughters.
Randall's published volumes, which were mainly devotional, included: 1. 'Public Catechising, the Church's Method of Training her Children,' two papers read at the Church Congress in 1873 and 1883 respectively; 2nd edit. 1888. 2. 'Life in the Catholic Church: its Blessings and Responsibilities,' 1889. 3. 'Addresses and Meditations for a Retreat,' 1890.
[The Times, 24 Dec. 1906; Church Times, and Guardian, 27 Dec. 1906; Winchester College Register, 1907; A. R. Ashwell and R. G. Wilberforce, Life of Samuel Wilberforce, 1883, vols. ii. and iii.; Brit. Mus. Cat.]