Smash hit

1817 Attends Trinity College, Oxford

1822 Elected Fellow of Oriel College

1825 Ordained as Church of England priest in Oxford, working in parishes and as college tutor with spiritual influence on national and university life

1833 After falling ill in Sicily, returns to England and launches “Oxford Movement” to reinvigorate the Church of England, generating controversy

Late 1830s Bishops denounce his works. He retires to lead religious community near Oxford

1845 Received into Roman Catholic Church. Ostracised by many friends

1847 Ordained in Rome

1848 Founds Birmingham Oratory in Maryvale, moving to Alcester Street in city centre where he converts an old gin distillery into a chapel. Later moves to Edgbaston

1851 Travels to Dublin at invitation of the Irish bishops to found University College. Becomes Rector in 1854

1879 After later years spent writing, preaching and counselling in Birmingham, is made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, a rare honour

1890 Dies at the Oratory in Edgbaston

1958 Beatification cause opened

1991 Declared Venerable by John Paul II

QUOTABLE NEWMAN

“Newman’s whole life had been one long controversy, and where there is no beginning there is likely to be no end”
The Times obituary, August 12, 1890

“We are not sent into this world for nothing, we are not born at random: we are not here that we may go to bed at night and get up in the morning, toil for our bread, eat and drink, laugh and joke, rear a family and die. God sees every one of us, He creates every soul for a purpose”
Cardinal newman's "God's Will the End of Life" sermon of 1849

“Whether Rome canonises him or not, he will be canonised in the thoughts of pious people of many creeds in England”
The Times leader on Newman's death

Times Recommends

• Times Charity Appeal: SolarAid
• Is it Black Monday all over again for Dubai?
• Behind the scenes at the biggest deal