In the Shadow of Death

Reviews / Votes

In the Shadow of Death presents a sympathetic portrait of Queen Victoria's favourite archbishop, whose life and career were overshadowed by a series of personal tragedies. Witheridge draws on Tait's prolific correspondence and extensive personal diaries to shed new light on his approach to controversies within the Church (and wider Anglican Communion) and his judicious handling of disputes. The strength of this first modern biography of the archbishop, however, lies in its sensitive depiction of a whole family haunted by bereavement.
Sarah Foot, Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, University of Oxford

John Witheridge's biography of Dean Stanley of Westminster is now followed by this brilliant study of Archbishop AC Tait. Both his subjects were liberal-leaning Balliol Men, favoured by the Queen and very influential. However, Tait was the greater, a Scot without aristocratic connections who laboured under immense personal burdens. Witheridge's book is an excellent example of biographical scholarship that is both readable and accurate. Anyone interested in Victorian Christianity, education or politics should read it.
John Jones, Emeritus Fellow & sometime Fellow-Archivist of Balliol College, Oxford

Recurring poor health; chronic overwork; an extraordinary series of personal tragedies; a sturdy faith - all are reflected in the title of this very accessible biography of Queen Victoria's favourite Archbishop of Canterbury. Witheridge presents a vivid account of this generous, principled courageous cleric grappling with the great ecclesiastical and theological controversies of his day, and gives frequent insights into nineteenth-century social history, not least in Carlisle.
James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle

If you enjoyed Owen Chadwick's The Victorian Church, you will certainly enjoy In the Shadow of Death, John Witheridge's sympathetic biography of Archibald Campbell Tait (1811-82), Archbishop of Canterbury 1868-82... In the Shadow of Death is a well-researched and highly readable book. John Witheridge has rescued Archbishop Tait's reputation from obscurity. One might not always agree with Tait's views or methods, but In the Shadow of Death reveals him to have been a devout, hard-working and conscientious archbishop.
Robert Beaken, New Directions, September 2022

Witheridge's book is a useful addition to the literature and a reliable guide to a time when the Church was at the forefront of national political life. For good or ill, Tait's world, like the intellectual bishop, has almost completely disappeared.
Mark Chapman, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, InModern Believing 64.4 Autumn, October Issue, pp.449-451, 2023