Background
Powys, born on 20 November 1805, was third son of Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford (1775–1825), by Henrietta Maria, eldest daughter of Robert Vernon Atherton of Atherton Hall, Lancashire.
Powys, born on 20 November 1805, was third son of Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford (1775–1825), by Henrietta Maria, eldest daughter of Robert Vernon Atherton of Atherton Hall, Lancashire.
He was educated at Harrow and at Saint John"s College, Cambridge, where he graduated Master of Arts
In 1826, and was later created Doctor of Divinity in 1854. In 1831 he became the rector of the parish of Warrington, Lancashire and he was for some time rural dean of Cheshire. Strongly impressed with the necessity for improved education, he succeeded in establishing the training college at Chester and the institution for the education of the daughters of the clergy at Warrington, both of which proved permanently successful.
On 5 July 1854 he was nominated to the bishopric of Sodor and Manitoba
He made successful endeavours to uphold the rights of the see, and involved himself in much litigation, including a lengthy dispute with the Review William Drury, the Vicar of Kirk Braddan, over the patronage of Street Thomas" Church, Douglas, which was closed for over a year as a consequence.
Powys was unpopular among most of the Manx clergy due to his High Church views, and contentious nature. After his health began to decline in 1873, he spent much time in England, and his episcopal duties were undertaken by other bishops on Powys" commission.
He printed two charges, A Pastoral Letter to the Congregation at Warrington, 1848, and two sermons.
He died of cancer at Bewsey House, Bournemouth, on 31 May 1877, and was buried at Warrington on 5 June.