Thomas James Rowsell

The Reverend Thomas James Rowsell (13 April 1816 – 23 January 1894)[1] was a popular High Church Anglican preacher of London who was made Honorary chaplain to Queen Victoria.

His eldest sister Sarah married the famous architect Sir Charles Barry in 1822 when Thomas was six years old.

Thomas’ older brother Evan Edward Rowsell was also a priest, and was curate-in-charge of the parish of Brinkley, Cambridgeshire before he was made rector of Hambledon, Surrey about 1859.

He was appointed domestic chaplain to the Duke of Sutherland and was also a vicar at the Church of St Peter, Cephas Street, Stepney (now converted to flats) from 1844 to 1860.

[6] The Queen likely favoured Rowsell because he was a High Church Anglican and had been her honorary chaplain for the past two years.