# Launcelot Fleming > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Launcelot_Fleming > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Launcelot_Fleming.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launcelot_Fleming > Source revision: 1353333708 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **William Launcelot Scott Fleming** (7 August 1906 – 30 July 1990) was a Scottish [Anglican](/source/Church_of_England) bishop. He was the [Bishop of Portsmouth](/source/Anglican_Bishop_of_Portsmouth) and later the [Bishop of Norwich](/source/Bishop_of_Norwich). He was also noted as a geologist and explorer. ## Childhood Fleming was born in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh) on 7 August 1906,[1] the youngest of four sons (the second of whom died at the age of five months), and fifth of five children of [Robert Alexander Fleming](/source/Robert_Alexander_Fleming) [FRSE](/source/FRSE) (a surgeon in Edinburgh) and Eleanor Mary, the daughter of the Rev William Lyall Holland, rector of Cornhill-on-Tweed. The family lived at 10 Chester Street in Edinburgh's West End.[2] He was educated at [Rugby School](/source/Rugby_School).[1] ## Early adult life Fleming went up to [Trinity Hall, Cambridge](/source/Trinity_Hall,_Cambridge) in 1925, to study the [Natural Sciences](/source/Natural_Sciences_(Cambridge)) [Tripos](/source/Tripos).[3] Having specialised in [geology](/source/Geology), he achieved a [second class](/source/Second_class_honours) in Part I in 1927 and [first class honours](/source/First_class_honours) in Part II in 1929, thereby graduating with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) (BA).[3] As per tradition, his BA was promoted to a [Master of Arts](/source/Master_of_Arts_(Oxbridge_and_Dublin)) (MA Cantab) degree in 1932.[4] He was awarded a [Commonwealth Fund Fellowship](/source/Commonwealth_Fund_Fellowship) and used it to study at [Yale University](/source/Yale_University) from 1929 to 1931:[3] he graduated with a [Master of Science](/source/Master_of_Science) (MS) degree in geology.[1][4] On his return to Britain, he studied theology and trained for [Holy Orders](/source/Holy_Orders) at [Westcott House, Cambridge](/source/Westcott_House,_Cambridge) from 1931 to 1933.[4] He was [ordained](/source/Ordained) in the [Church of England](/source/Church_of_England) as a [deacon](/source/Deacon#Anglicanism) in 1933 and as a [priest](/source/Priest#Anglican_or_Episcopalian) in 1934.[5] In 1932 he took part in the Cambridge University expedition to Vatnajokull, Iceland, led by [Brian Roberts](/source/Brian_Birley_Roberts) and in 1933 was chief scientist on the Oxford University expedition to Spitsbergen, led by Alexander Glen.[1] From 1934-37 he was geologist, chaplain and photographer on the [British Graham Land Expedition](/source/British_Graham_Land_Expedition), and was a member of the sledging party that traversed the newly discovered [King George VI Sound](/source/George_VI_Sound).[1] He was awarded the [Polar Medal](/source/Polar_Medal) in 1937.[6] ## Later life Fleming pursued an academic career, acting as an examining chaplain to a number of bishops while retaining a base at Trinity Hall, eventually becoming its dean in 1937 and an honorary fellow in 1956.[7] At the outbreak of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), he volunteered to become a chaplain in the [Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve](/source/Royal_Naval_Volunteer_Reserve) (RNVR).[8] He was commissioned in the RNVR as a [temporary chaplain](/source/Royal_Navy_Chaplaincy_Service) in November 1940 with seniority from 9 July 1940.[9] He served three years on the battleship [HMS *Queen Elizabeth*](/source/HMS_Queen_Elizabeth_(1913)),[3][8] including when it was posted to the Mediterranean from 1941 to 1942.[3] In 1944, he was appointed director of service ordination candidates.[3] Later, on 4 May 1950, he made an honorary chaplain to the RNVR.[10] After the war, he resumed his fellowship at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and was part-time director of the [Scott Polar Research Institute](/source/Scott_Polar_Research_Institute) from 1946 to 1949.[1] In 1965 he married Jane Agutter, a widow.[11] In 1971 he was elected a Fellow of the [Royal Society of Edinburgh](/source/Royal_Society_of_Edinburgh). His proposers were Lord Balerno, [Douglas Guthrie](/source/Douglas_Guthrie), [Norman Feather](/source/Norman_Feather) and [Anthony Elliot Ritchie](/source/Anthony_Elliot_Ritchie).[12] ## Episcopate and parliament In July 1949, Fleming's name was put forward for the position of [Bishop of Portsmouth](/source/Anglican_Bishop_of_Portsmouth).[13] He had never held a position in a parish.[4] Having been selected, he was consecrated a bishop on [St Luke](/source/St_Luke)'s day (18 October) at [Southwark Cathedral](/source/Southwark_Cathedral)[14] by [Geoffrey Fisher](/source/Geoffrey_Fisher), [Archbishop of Canterbury](/source/Archbishop_of_Canterbury).[15] He did not take his place in the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords) for another seven years.[16] In 1959, he was [translated](/source/Translation_(ecclesiastical)) to the vacant [Episcopal see](/source/Episcopal_see) of [Norwich](/source/Bishop_of_Norwich),[17][18] becoming the first bishop to use the ancient throne in [Norwich Cathedral](/source/Norwich_Cathedral) for 400 years. Although he became a bishop without parochial experience or any great gift for preaching, his unassuming friendliness and humility won over both clergy and laity. Portsmouth became an exceptionally well-run diocese, with more than its share of young clergy and ordinands. Norwich, with 650 churches and a shortage of clergy, presented greater problems; he tackled them resolutely and imaginatively, developing rural group ministries and again attracting good clergy. He also played a significant part in planning the [University of East Anglia](/source/University_of_East_Anglia), which has its own university chapel. A remarkable rapport with young people led to his being made chairman of the Church of England Youth Council (1950–61). Struck by a rare spinal disorder, which seriously affected both legs, he resigned the see in 1971. An eternally enthusiastic man, in 1960 he realised a lifetime's ambition to ride on the footplate of a [locomotive](/source/Steam_locomotive),[19] and in 1965, at the comparatively advanced age of 58, he married Jane Agutter,[20] the widow of Anthony Agutter and daughter of Henry Machen. It was a happy marriage which lasted for twenty-five years but produced no children. In 1967, unusually for a bishop, Fleming piloted a bill (subsequently the [Antarctic Treaty](/source/Antarctic_Treaty) Act 1967) through the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords).[21] Well informed on environmental and ecological issues (he was a pre-war [glaciologist](/source/Glaciologist) of repute), he constantly urged responsible [stewardship](/source/Stewardship_(theology)) of the world (his maiden speech in the House of Lords was about cruelty to whales), and the need for international co-operation. He became vice-chairman (1969–71) of the parliamentary group for world government, and a member of the government [Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution](/source/Royal_Commission_on_Environmental_Pollution) (1970–73).[22] At Windsor, he consolidated the reputation of [St George's House](/source/St_George's_House_(Windsor_Castle)). His influence on church policy would have been greater but for synodical government – off-the-cuff debate was not his forte. ## Later career On resigning his [See](/source/Episcopal_see), Fleming was appointed the Queen's domestic chaplain and [Dean of Windsor](/source/Dean_of_Windsor), in which capacity he officiated at the funerals of [Prince William of Gloucester](/source/Prince_William_of_Gloucester) and the [former Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor)](/source/Funeral_of_Edward,_Duke_of_Windsor).[23] In 1976 he was created a Knight Commander of the [Royal Victorian Order](/source/Royal_Victorian_Order) and awarded an honorary doctorate by the [University of East Anglia](/source/University_of_East_Anglia) for his work with young people.[24] He retired to [Dorset](/source/Dorset) and died in [Sherborne](/source/Sherborne) on 30 July 1990. He was cremated and his ashes were interred in the churchyard of All Saints' Church in [Poyntington](/source/Poyntington) in [Dorset](/source/Dorset). ## Publications - Foreword to *William of Gloucester: Pioneer Prince*, edited by Giles St. Aubyn (London: 1977)[25] - Fleming, Launcelot & Walton, Kevin et al. (1983). *Portrait of Antarctica*. Philip's. ISBN 978-0540010752. ## References 1. ["William Launcelot Scott Fleming collection"](https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb15-williamlauncelotscottfleming). *Archives Hub*. Retrieved 7 September 2022. 1. Edinburgh and Leith Post Office directory 1905-6 1. Hunt, Giles (23 September 2004). "Fleming, (William) Launcelot Scott (1906–1990)". 39998. 1. [Who’s Who](/source/Who's_Who_(UK)) 1971, p2339, ISBN 0-7136-1140-5 1. [Who’s Who](/source/Who's_Who_(UK)) 1971, p2339, ISBN 0-7136-1140-5 1. *Who's Who* (ibid) 1. *A Field Guide to the English Clergy* Butler-Gallie, F p106: London, Oneworld Publications, 2018 ISBN 9781786074416 1. No. 35003. 29 November 1940. p. 6811. 1. No. 38949. 20 June 1950. p. 3189. 1. [*Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002*](https://web.archive.org/web/20130124115814/http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from [the original](https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf) on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2016. 1. [*Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002*](https://web.archive.org/web/20130124115814/http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from [the original](https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf) on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2016. 1. *The Times*, 23 July 1949, p4. 1. *The Times*, 25 October 1956, p. 4. 1. *The Times*, 12 October 1959, p. 10. 1. *The Times*, 29 January 1960, p. 9. 1. *The Times*, 30 September 1960, p. 5. 1. *The Times*, 6 January 1965, p. 12. 1. [House of Lords Official Report 1 May 1967.](https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1967/may/01/antarctic-treaty-bill#S5LV0282P0_19670501_HOL_228) 1. No. 45999. 7 June 1973. p. 7081. 1. *The Times*, 5 June 1972, p2 1. London Gazette, 12 June 1976; Governor of [Portsmouth Grammar School](/source/Portsmouth_Grammar_School), Chairman of [Church of England](/source/Church_of_England) Youth Council and a Trustee of [The Prince's Trust](/source/The_Prince's_Trust) Who’s Who (Ibid) 1. ["Introduction"](https://pioneerprince.blogspot.com/2018/10/introduction.html). 3 October 2018. [Archived](https://archive.today/20181003150308/https://pioneerprince.blogspot.com/2018/10/introduction.html) 3 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 October 2018. ## Further reading - g. c. l. b. (Jan 1950). "Launcelot Fleming: an appreciation". *Polar Record*. **5** (39): 396–597. [doi:10.1017/S0032247400044879](https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247400044879). [S2CID 251051807](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:251051807) - Bertram, Colin et al. (Oct 1990). "The Rt Rev William Launcelot Scott Fleming, KCVO, DD". *Polar Record*. **26** (159): 341–342. [doi:10.1017/S0032247400012158](https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247400012158) - Hunt, Giles (2002). *Launcelot Fleming, a portrait*. Norwich: Canterbury Press. - Lindsay, Donald (1981). *Friends for life; a portrait of Launcelot Fleming*. Seaford, Sussex: Lindel Publishing Co. ## External links - [Biography](http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/39998) in the *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Launcelot Fleming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launcelot_Fleming) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launcelot_Fleming?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.