Pusey, E(dward) B(ouverie) 1800-82
English theologian and leader of the 'Oxford Movement'

He was born in Pusey, Berkshire, and his father had assumed the name Pusey when he inherited the Pusey estates. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, was elected a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford (1823), and whilst living in Germany (1825-27) acquainted himself with German theological teaching. In 1828 he was ordained deacon and priest, and was appointed Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford, a position which he retained until his death. His first work was an essay on the causes of rationalism in recent German theology, which was criticized as being itself rationalistic. His aim was to prevent the spread of Rationalism in England. He joined Cardinal John Newman, and they, with John Keble, became the leaders of the Oxford Movement (1833). Pusey wrote his contributions to the Tracts, especially those on Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, and in 1836 commenced the Oxford Library of the Fathers, to which his chief contributions were translations of Augustine's Confessions and works of Tertullian. In 1843 Pusey was suspended from preaching in Oxford for two years following his sermon asserting the presence of God in the Holy Eucharist, but at the first opportunity he reiterated his teaching. His numerous writings during this period include a letter on the practice of confession (1850) and A Letter to the Bishop of London (1851), a general defence of his position. He also wrote The Doctrine of the Real Presence (1856-57), the series of three Eirenicons (1865-69), and a pamphlet on Collegiate and Professorial Teaching. He spent large sums in helping to provide churches in East London and Leeds, and in founding sisterhoods.

Bibliography: Henry Parry Liddon, Life of Edward Bouverie Pusey (4 vols, 1893-97)