A biography of Rev William Cowper (1778-1858), third Chaplain to the colony of New South Wales. Appointed to St Philip's, Sydney, in 1809, William Cowper served in that parish until his death in 1858. During his long tenure, he adapted the patterns of evangelical Anglican ministry he had learned in Yorkshire for New South Wales, as it moved from penal colony to free society and emerging nation.

Introduction; 1. An Englishman comes to Sydney (1778-1809): Vision Inspires Action; 2. From Rebellion to Royal Commission (1809-1821): Vision Builds Society; 3. Two Archdeacons and a Bishop (1821-1842): Vision Regulates Life; 4. Evangelicalism Threatened and Defended (1843-1852): Vision Stands Firm; 5. Responsibility to Reward (1852-1858): Vision Bequeaths a Future; Bibliography; Indexes