 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2022) |
John William Colenso | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Natal | |
 Portrait by Samuel Sidley (1866) | |
| Church | Church of England |
| See | Natal |
| In office | 1853 – 20 June 1883 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Hamilton Baynes |
| Previous post(s) | Rector of Forncett St Mary |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 January 1814 St Austell, Cornwall, England |
| Died | 20 June 1883 (aged 69) Durban, Natal Colony |
John William Colenso (24 January 1814 – 20 June 1883) was a Cornish cleric and mathematician, defender of the Zulu and biblical scholar, who served as the first Bishop of Natal. He was a scholar of the Zulu language. In his role as an Anglican theologian, Colenso is now remembered for views of the Bible that set off intense controversy.