Hensley Henson (1902) (Getty Images)

Herbert Hensley Henson (1863-1947), was a leading public figure and clergyman in the Church of England, at first in Westminster and principally in Durham. He has been described by Owen Chadwick as ‘the most celebrated Anglican mind of the twentieth century’, and the author of ‘the most caustic diary ever written by a Christian bishop’.

This website is providing a digital edition of his Journals from 1900 to 1939, when he was most active and influential in Church and state. It makes available a valuable research resource on many subjects. It also enables his literary gifts and his incisive observations on a turbulent period of British history to be enjoyed by a wide readership.

Volumes 14-52 (October 1900 to May 1931) are collectively searchable using the search boxes at the top of this page. For advice, see the help tab at top right.

Volumes 53-74 (June 1931 to March 1939) are being prepared as PDFs. These are available through the first link below Edition, in the top right column of the screen.

Citations from this edition and its editorial material should appear as: ‘The Henson Journals, The Henson Journals – The journals of Hensley Henson, 1900-1939‘.