Sheppard of Liverpool, David Stuart Sheppard, the Right Reverend Lord

▪ 2006

      British cricketer and Anglican bishop (b. March 6, 1929, Reigate, Surrey, Eng.—d. March 5, 2005, West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside, Eng.), was the only man who played cricket for England as an ordained priest. Sheppard attended Sherborne School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. A graceful opening batsman, David Sheppard (as he was then known) played for Cambridge (1950–52), Sussex (1947–62), and England (1950–63), serving for a time as captain of each. In 230 first-class matches, he scored 15,838 runs at an average of 43.51, with 45 centuries and 194 catches. In 22 Test matches, he scored 1,172 runs at an average of 37.80, with 3 centuries and 12 catches. After Sheppard was ordained (1955), he gave up playing cricket full-time, but he did not retire his bat until 1963. He served as a curate of St. Mary's, Islington, in London (1955–57) and as warden at the Mayflower Family Centre in Canning Town, London (1957–69). As suffragan bishop of Woolwich (1969–75) and bishop of Liverpool (1975–97), Sheppard was known for his advocacy for the poor and for his ecumenism. He was made a life peer in 1998.

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