James Alexander Grant came to Trinity College as a non-resident student in 1950, starting a close relationship with the College that would last almost 70 years. In 1957 he returned to Trinity to undertake theological studies, before returning again in 1970 as College Chaplain. In 1974 he was appointed Joint Acting Warden with then Dean Rod Fawns for seven months. During this time, he implemented the plan to make Trinity co-residential, and later, was involved in setting up the Trinity College Foundation in 1983 and our Foundation Studies program in 1990. In 1999, he was invited to join Trinity as Bequests Officer. He officially retired from this position in November 2017, but regularly visited the College and helped with events and other activities until his death.
During the time of Robin Sharwood’s wardenship, Bishop Grant was commissioned to write Trinity’s centenary history. His book, Perspective of a Century, was published in 1972 (available from the Trinity Shop). Bishop Grant was made a Fellow of Trinity College in 1975 and a Senior Fellow in 2010.
In 1983, Bishop Grant married Rowena Armstrong QC, who had already been involved with Trinity through the drafting of the Trinity College Act 1978. The couple, both Trinity College Fellows, continued active involvement with Trinity and were incredibly generous with their time and expertise. A portrait of Bishop Grant and Rowena has been hanging proudly in the portrait gallery in the Trinity College Dining Hall since 2006.
Trinity College is eternally grateful for Bishop Grant’s instrumental role in building Trinity into the strong and vibrant community it is today and he will be sadly missed around the College. Our sincerest condolences go out to Rowena and his family and friends.
Trinity College will rename one of the lecture theatres in our Old Warden’s Lodge (OWL) in recognition of Bishop Grant, and the second theatre will be named after Rowena.
You can read more of Bishop Grant’s story in the 2017 online edition of our alumni magazine, Trinity Today.
Bishop Grant's funeral will be held Friday 19 July 2019 at 11am at St Paul's Cathedral in the Melbourne CBD.
