The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Tyrrell, Right Rev. William
Tyrrell, Right Rev. William, D.D., first Bishop of Newcastle, New South Wales, was the son of Timothy Tyrrell, Remembrancer of the City of London, by his marriage with Elizabeth, only daughter of John Dollond, the famous optician. He was educated at the Charterhouse, and at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he gained a scholarship and graduated fourth Senior Optime. Having been ordained in 1832, he held incumbencies at Aylestone, Leicestershire, and Beaulieu, Hampshire. In 1847 it was decided to divide the unwieldy diocese of Australia, and of the new see of Newcastle then created Dr. Tyrrell was appointed first bishop. Whilst proving himself an exemplary missionary prelate, Dr. Tyrrell embarked largely in pastoral pursuits, and with such success that he was enabled to leave the noble legacy of £250,000 to be expended on the endowment of his diocese on a plan which he had drawn up and partially carried into effect prior to his decease. The scheme apportioned, in addition to provision for the working clergy, £10,000 for superannuation and sick funds, £26,000 for the training of future clergy, and £44,000 for the religious education of the young. In 1876 the bishop had a paralytic stroke, and died at Newcastle on March 24th, 1879, of hernia, brought on by the long and rapid journeys which he had undertaken in his early episcopal career.