Background
Born in Denmark, Blackburn grew up in Yorkshire.
Born in Denmark, Blackburn grew up in Yorkshire.
He was educated at Eastbourne College before going to Durham University to study theology. He was President of the Durham Union Society, graduating from Street John"s College, Durham with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also studied at Hull University, receiving a Master of Arts degree, followed by ordination training at Westcott House, Cambridge.
He was ordained priest in 1984. Blackburn served his curacy at Street Dunstan"s, Stepney from 1983 to 1987 (deacon 1983) and then served for five and a half years as priest in charge of Street John's Isleworth until 1992. He was then Vicar of Street Mark’s Mosborough from 1992, during which time he was also Area Dean of Attercliffe starting in 1996 and an honorary canon of Sheffield Cathedral from 1998.
In 1999 he became Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham until 2009 and a canon residentiary of Sheffield Cathedral until 2005.
On 27 August 2009, it was announced that Blackburn had been appointed to the episcopacy, succeeding David Jennings. He was consecrated at York Minster on 3 November 2009 before his installation at Liverpool Cathedral on 7 November 2009.
The Reverend Richard Blackburn (1983–1998) The Reverend Canon Richard Blackburn (1998–1999) The Venerable Richard Blackburn (1999–2009) The Right Reverend Richard Blackburn (2009–present).