Thomas Edward Wilkinson (1837−1914), known as Edward Wilkinson, was an Anglican bishop, legionnaire and travel writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sixth child of a gentleman farmer, he was born at Walsham Hall, Walsham le Willows, Suffolk. Before he was ordained, he joined the French Foreign Legion and travelled around Europe. As a priest he had the curacies of two consecutive parishes, then spent six years with his wife and children in South Africa as the inaugural Bishop of Zululand. Following a Cornwall incumbency, he was concurrently the rector of St Katherine Coleman, London, and coadjutor bishop of London for north and central Europe. Within this diocese he had the oversight of missions across ten nations. To reach all of his European chaplaincies meant a journey of over 14,000 miles; he made 82 of these episcopal tours. He published several books, including a Zulu hymn book, an edition of his wife's Zululand journals, and his own travel book relating to his years in Europe. In his Who's Who entry, Wilkinson listed his recreation as "work". Background Parentage Wilkinson's father was Hooper John Wilkinson, (1800–1883), a magistrate and proprietor of a farm employing eight labourers and four boys in 1851. His mother was Anne née Howlett ( 1805–1884). Hooper John, Anne and their son Octavius are buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Walsham le Willows. Thomas Edward Wilkinson was the sixth son, having at least ten siblings. He was born at Walsham Hall, Walsham le Willows, Suffolk on 26 December 1837. His eldest brother was barrister Hooper John Wilkinson (1822–1904). His other elder brothers were George Howlett (1828–1879), Charles Ellis (born 1829), Harry Evan "Henry" Wilkinson (born 1834) and Rev. Octavius (1836–1870). Octavius attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and was made priest alongside his brother Thomas Edward. The youngest brother was Joseph Henry Newman (born 1850). His sisters were Anne (born 1824), Mary Ann (born 1826), Elizabeth Frances (born 1833) and Edith Margaret (born 1847). Family home The 17th-century red-brick Walsham Hall was built on the site of an ancient manor house. H. J. Wilkinson purchased the property in 1828, rebuilt the hall, and was living in it by 1841. T. E. Wilkinson inherited the house and sold it to the Church of England, later adding some land to the gift. The house was renamed as Walsham Farm Home and opened as a Church of England