Canon Stuart Barton-Babbage AM, one of the last of a generation which included Sir Marcus Loane and Broughton Knox, has died at the age of 96.  

Originally from New Zealand, he was converted while at school in Auckland and went on to lead the Evangelical Union during his university days.

Dr Babbage went to England to study theology and after serving a village curacy while the Battle of Britain raged overhead, he enlisted as a Royal Air Force chaplain. A friendship with C.S. Lewis led him to invite the great author and apologist to preach to airmen.

Post war, he was given his first Sydney post as diocesan missioner by Archbishop Howard Mowll, and was soon a youthful Dean of Sydney (1947-53), only the third Dean of the city.  Later Dr Babbage became Principal of Ridley College and Dean of Melbourne (1953-62).

He was later named a ‘Principal Emeritus’ of Ridley. During his time in Melbourne he was a leader in preparations for the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade. From there, he took up a significant ministry in the US where he participated in the founding of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Photo: Dr Babbage at New College (thanks to Trevor Cairney)

Dr Barton-Babbage returned to Australia in the 1970’s to became Master of New College at the University of New South Wales, a position he held until 1983. "Dr Babbage was a remarkable man who had a great influence on the shaping of New College” said the College’s current master Dr Trevor Cairney.”His deep faith in Christ and zeal for the gospel, as well as his human kindness and a remarkable gift for hospitality, helped to shape the community. He continued till his last days serving and honouring his God in a multitude of ways."

Apart from several scholarly works, he wrote 'Memoirs of a Loose Canon' which included anecdotes from the Graham Crusades and his RAF ministry. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1995 "In recognition of service to the Anglican Church of Australia to education and to the community".

Archbishop Jensen described his death as the passing of  “one of the most gifted and remarkable witnesses to Jesus Christ of his generation.” Dr Jensen said “He was very much his own man but at the same time gave sacrificial leadership to the people of God in a series of interesting and fruitful ministries.” The Archbishop said he knew Dr Babbage best in his role as Registrar of the Australian College of Theology. “In this role he provided a stable and imaginative contribution to Australian theological studies and one which continues to be influential to this day” the Archbishop said.

His funeral will be held at St. Jude's Anglican Church, Randwick, on Friday, November 23, at 10 a.m.