Eton was then under the head-mastership of Dr. Keate; but the late Bishop, as well as his brothers, were greatly indebted to the abilities, attainments, and affection of their domestic tutor, the Rev. Charles Drury Michel Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford, who accompanied the two elder brothers to Eton, and remained with them there till their education was completed.
In 1819 Edward Denison entered as a Gentleman Commoner at Oriel College, Oxford, then presided over by the learned and accomplished Copleston, afterwards Bishop of Llandaff, whose discerning eye soon discovered the abilities and excellent qualities of the young undergraduate.
In Easter Term, 1822, Edward Denison's name appeared in the first class of classical honours. In August 1826, he was elected a Fellow of Merton College. His next step was to enter his name in one of the Inns of Court in London, and to begin an assiduous study of the law; after a short period, however, he abandoned his intention of becoming a member of the bar, and betook himself to the study of divinity, and on the 23rd of December, 1827, he was admitted into Holy Orders, and soon afterwards made his first essay in the performance of pastoral duties on becoming incumbent of Wolvercot, a small parish in the neighbourhood of Oxford. This charge he afterwards resigned, and on the 10th of October, 1829, he was inducted into
