Cardinal and writer revered by Catholics

CARDINAL Newman – a man who caused shockwaves by jumping ship from the Anglican church to Catholicism in 1845 – is seen as a ground-breaking theologian, academic and writer.

Born into a religious family in 1801, he attended Great Ealing School in London, where he is said to have preferred Bible study to sport.

After graduating from Trinity College, Oxford, he was ordained into the Anglican Church in 1824, but scandalised Victorian society when he defected to Rome.

He was quickly ordained as a priest and switched his base to Birmingham, living first in Oscott.

He later settled in Edgbaston and lived in seclusion for 40 years.

But Newman’s health began to decline in late 1886. He died of pneumonia at Birmingham Oratory on August 11, 1890.

Eight days later, he was buried at The Oratory’s Rednal Hill country house.

According to his wishes, Newman was buried in the same plot as lifelong friend, Ambrose St John.

That close friendship has raised questions over Cardinal Newman’s sexual orientation.

In his book Newman’s Unquiet Grave, author John Cornwall published letters revealing the grief that enveloped the Cardinal following his friend’s death.