Papers of Archdeacon Ernest Henry Stenning

Date(s): 1914-1936

Creator(s): Stenning, Ernest Henry

Administration / Biographical History: Ernest Henry Stenning, born at Shermanbury, Sussex, on 27 January 1885, was an honorary Manxman, who published many articles about his adopted home.

After completing a degree in Natural Sciences at Downing College, Cambridge in 1909 he obtained a post as a teacher at King Williams College (KWC) in Castletown. Despite initial ambitions to move on and take up medicine he stayed for 55 years, becoming a longstanding housemaster of Junior House, assistant master and Senior Science Master, guiding the education of many, several of whom became doctors. In 1945 he was appointed by Trustees to be Vice Principal in 1944 and retired in 1953.

Parallel to this distinguished teaching career ran his service to the church. E H Stenning was ordained in 1911 and became successively College Chaplain, Diocesan Director of Education, Canon of St Columbus and Archeacon before being finally honored in 1959 when he was appointed Chaplain to the Queen, the Island's first Royal Chaplain. He preached in the Chapel Royal on 8 May 1960.

With KAR Sugden Stenning started the Officer Training Corps (OTC) at KWC in 1911, was promoted to Major in 1921 and was awarded the Territorial Decoration on 7 July 1931.

His interests were many: Chairman of the Buchan School, Trustee of the Manx Museum (and library volunteer), Chairman of the Ancient Monuments Committee, President of the Isle of Man Photographic Society, Honorary Member of the Autocycle Union, President of the Manx Motorcycle Club and Southern Motor Cycle Club, member of the Executive Committee for organising the TT Races and co-founder of the Amateur TT Races in 1923. Having marshalled at Ballacraine he was for many years Steward of the Tourist Trophy and Manx Grand Prix races, participating in presentation ceremonies. In 1956 he was awarded the MBE for his services to motorcycling and education in the Isle of Man.

A keen motorcyclist, singer, sportsman, botanist and photographer, he travelled regularly away from the Island, invariably spending Christmas and New Year in London during the early part of his career, as well as taking a summer vacation, either at a British holiday resort or touring abroad with his motorcycle and later motorcar in Europe, even Canada. He developed his own lantern slides to illustrate his lectures on travel, architecture and scenery.

Stenning was a Freemason and a co-founder member of the King William Lodge in 1918, as well as an eventual provincial Grand Master from 1957 until his death and Grand Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of England.

At a thanksgiving service for Stenning held in College Chapel on the Thursday after his death Mr Boulter's fulsome address ended, 'That then was this versatile, able and distinguished man whom we remember today: Man of God, man of science, man of goodwill, housemaster, Vice-Principal, Trustee, musician, author, traveller. His life or at least fifty-five years of it;, was lived for College, and his influence here, and in the Church in the Island, has borne wonderful fruit.'

Stenning's wife of xx years predeceased him. Stenning died in hospital at Douglas on 1 February 1964 aged 79. The funeral service was held at St George's Church, Douglas on 7 February 1964. A private cremation took place at Douglas Crematorium. A plaque is erected to him in King William's College Chapel.

Language: English

Extent: 5 boxes

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: FONDS

ID number: MS 09677

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are i mplemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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