News
Eminent Belfast academic takes up new role in Church of Ireland
An eminent Belfast academic, Professor Brian Walker, has been appointed as the new Church of Ireland Historiographer.
Prof. Walker is an historian, author and a political scientist. He is professor Emeritus of Irish Studies at Queen’s University and his new role is for a six–year term.
He succeeds the distinguished church historian, Canon Dr Kenneth Milne, who was the Church of Ireland Historiographer for thirty–one years.
Prof Walker said he was honoured to be asked to take on the role in succession of Dr Milne.
Born in Belfast, his father, Leslie, was Rector of Saul and Inch, Magheradroll and then Knockbreda. He attended Campbell College followed by Magee College Londonderry and Trinity College Dublin.
The role of the Church of Ireland historiographer is to research, document, and report on the historical developments, publications, and literary contributions concerning the church. The historiographer prepares an official report for the Church of Ireland’s General Synod Book of Reports.
Prof Walker says of his new role: “This position means that I will be keeping a close eye on publications relating to the Church of Ireland. I make an annual report to General Synod on such books. I will also be encouraging parishes to both look carefully over any historic records they keep and make sure they write up good contemporary records.”
Church of Ireland Representative Church Body (RCB) Librarian and Archivist, Dr Susan Hood, welcomed the appointment, adding: “Prof. Brian Walker is an eminent choice to fill the shoes of Dr Kenneth Milne as the Church’s historiographer.
“We have had the pleasure and benefit of working with him on several aspects of the Church’s history, especially through the Decade of Commemorations, and featured in the Library’s popular Archive of the Month blog. He has reminded us of forgotten angles of the all–island identity of the Church of Ireland, and carefully utilised primary sources that bring this to light.”
Prof. Walker is currently President of the Federation of Ulster Local Studies and is Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. In addition, he is President of the Belfast Literary Society, President of the Belfast Civic Trust and Treasurer of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society. He is on the council of the Irish Association and served as Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and President of the Linen Hall Library.
Prof. Walker has written widely on Irish history. His books include Irish history matters: politics, identities and commemoration (2019). He is also author of A history of St George’s church Belfast: two centuries of faith, worship and music (2016) and co–consultant editor of The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013).