Reverend Hewlett Johnson, 1874-1966

Hewlett Johnson was the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral from 1931-1963 and held strongly Communist views, which led to his gaining the epithet of 'The Red Dean'.

Born in 1874, the son of a wire manufacturer in Manchester, Johnson graduated as an engineer in 1898 and during his training was introduced to Socialism. After marrying Mary Taylor in 1902, Johnson studied Theology at Oxford, intending to become a missionary, but his views were too radical. Instead, in 1908, he was ordained vicar of St. Margaret's, Dunham Massey, Altrincham.

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