Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Spencer, Aubrey George
SPENCER, AUBREY GEORGE (1795–1872), first bishop of Newfoundland, born on 8 Feb. 1795, was son of William Robert Spencer [q. v.] His brother was George Trevor Spencer [q. v.], bishop of Madras. He matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 28 March 1817, but did not graduate. After being ordained Spencer went out to the Bermudas, of which in 1824 he was appointed archdeacon.
In 1839, when Newfoundland was constituted a separate diocese, with the Bermudas under its care, Spencer was appointed bishop of Newfoundland, returning to England for consecration; during his visit he was created D.D. of Oxford University. He began the organisation of his diocese and founded the Theological College, and laid the first stone of the cathedral of St. John's, besides helping to found twenty other churches. But his health could not long endure the severe winters of Newfoundland, and on 28 Nov. 1843 he was translated to Jamaica, which included British Honduras and the Bahamas. Here he found a more congenial home, though a good deal of travelling was necessary. In October 1848 he made a visitation of the Bahamas and went to Havannah some years later. He remained in Jamaica till 1856, when failing health compelled him to appoint a coadjutor. Returning to England, he settled at Torquay, where he died on 24 Feb. 1872.
Spencer married, on 14 July 1822, Eliza, daughter of John Musson, and left three daughters.
Spencer was the author of ‘Sermons on Various Subjects’ (1827), ‘The Mourner Comforted’ (1845), and a number of fugitive poems, some of which appeared in ‘Blackwood's Magazine’ (e.g. October 1837, p. 555).
[Times, 27 Feb. 1872; Burke's Peerage, s.v. ‘Marlborough;’ Memoir of Edward Feild. 1877, pp. 28, 189; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715–1886; International Magazine, January 1851, pp. 157–159; Bonnycastle's Newfoundland in 1842, ii. 99.]