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, later absorbed into the United Reformed Church and now the Pembroke College Auditorium). 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 at Durham in 1952 and subsequent elevation to the Primacy at York and Canterbury, Bishop Michael continued to revisit Cambridge regularly, and preached many times in LSM. The society founded in his memory organises a lecture on some aspect of Christianity, which is usually delivered at LSM each 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 Covid restrictions.
• The 2021 lecture was given by Paul Binski FBA FSA (Emeritus Professor of the History of Medieval Art in the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Caius). His subject was the Architectural History of Little St Mary's in the 14th Century.
• There was no lecture in 2022.
• The 2023 lecture was given by the Rt Rev’d Dr Martin Seeley (Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich) on The Christian Priest Tomorrow.