Bishop Michael Ramsey

Arthur Michael Ramsey (1904-1988), 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in Cambridge (at Aaron House in Chesterton Road, opposite Jesus Lock) and maintained a close interest in Little Saint Mary's throughout his life, beginning in boyhood when his family worshipped next door at Emmanuel Congregational Church (as it then was). He kept up the link throughout his years as undergraduate at Magdalene, as Vicar of our neighbouring parish of St Bene't and as Regius Professor of Divinity in the University.

After his consecration to the Episcopate (successively at Durham, York and Canterbury) in 1952, Bishop Michael continued to revisit Cambridge regularly, and preached many times in LSM. The society founded in his memory organises an annual lecture on some aspect of Christianity, which is delivered at LSM in November.

The 2019 Ramsey Lecture The ‘Difficult Adventure’: Bishop Ramsey’s Church Catholic and Beyond was given by the Rev’d Dr Simon Cuff, Tutor at S. Mellitus College, London.

There was no lecture in 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The next lecture is planned for  Monday 8th November 2021, when Paul Binski FBA FSA (Professor of the History of Medieval Art in the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Caius) will speak on the History of LSM.