COLENSO, John William (1814-1883):
first ANGLICAN BISHOP of Natal and important pioneer
of BIBLICAL CRITICISM. He gained the affection of the Zulus by refusing to compel
polygamous Africans to divorce their additional wives; championing the Black cause against
White settler interests; writing the first Zulu grammar, dictionary and reading books. His
interaction with PAGAN Zulus led him to write a series of books in the 1860s and 1870s
which challenged the literal truth of the SCRIPTURES. His correspondence with German
theologians helped stimulate many critical theories. In 1866 he was charged with HERESY
and EXCOMMUNICATED by the Bishop of Cape Town.
