William Gordon Wheeler

The photograph above (taken in the lower library of Archbishop's House) dates from 1954, when Mgr Wheeler was appointed Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, a post he held until 1964. Previously he had been chaplain to the students of London University. As Administrator, he brought to the Cathedral his considerable aesthetic vision and energy; it was during his time that much of the marble work was advanced, and many treasures were acquired by the Cathedral. In all this he worked closely with the Bartlett family - his close friend, Mgr Francis Bartlett, was to follow him as Administrator in 1967. Mgr Wheeler was a gifted administrator, a notable preacher, and an inspired pastor; it was to be expected that his talents would call him to other duties.

In 1964, after ten years at Westminster Cathedral, he was appointed co-adjutor Bishop of Middlesbrough with right of succession (above), but 1n 1966 became the seventh Bishop of Leeds. He retired in 1985, and died in 1998.