Alison White (bishop)

White was born in 1956.^[1] Her father was Keith Dumbell (1922–2018), a virologist known for his work on smallpox.^[2] She studied English at St Aidan's College, Durham University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1978.^[1][3] She later studied at the University of Leeds and graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1994.^[1]

In 1983, White entered Cranmer Hall, an Anglican theological college attached to St John's College, Durham. She became a deaconess in 1986. She was ordained deacon in 1987 and priest in 1994.^[1] She was a non-stipendiary minister in Chester le Street from 1986 to 1989; the Diocese of Durham's Adviser in Local Mission from 1989 to 1993; Director of Pastoral Studies at Cranmer Hall from 1993 to 1998; Director of Ordinands from 1998 to 2000; its Springboard Missioner from 2000 to 2004; and Adult Education Officer for the Diocese of Peterborough from 2005 to 2010.

White was a canon of Peterborough Cathedral from 2009 to 2010. In that year she became the priest-in-charge of St James' Church, Riding Mill, Northumberland, and adviser to the Diocese of Newcastle for spirituality and spiritual direction.^[4]

Episcopal ministry

In March 2015, it was announced that White was to become the next Bishop of Hull.^[5][6] On 3 July 2015, she was consecrated as a bishop by John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, during a service at York Minster.^[3] She was the second woman to become a bishop in the Church of England; Libby Lane was the first.^[7] She was welcomed as Bishop of Hull on 6 July during a service at Holy Trinity Church, Hull.^[8][9]

In September 2021, it was announced that White would be retiring as Bishop of Hull^[10] effective 25 February 2022.^[11]

In 1982, the then Alison Dumbell married Frank White.^[12] He was also a priest and then bishop in the Church of England and ended his ecclesiastical career as the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle.^[13] They are the first husband and wife both to be bishops.^[7]