Lawrence Edward Luscombe OStJ (10 November 1924 – 3 May 2022) was a British Anglican bishop and author. He was Bishop of Brechin from 1975 to 1990 and primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1985 to 1990.

Early life and education

Luscombe was educated at Torquay Boys' Grammar School, an all-boys state grammar school in Torquay, Devon. He studied at King's College London and Kelham Theological College.

Career

Early career

Luscombe served during the Second World War in the Indian Army between 1942 and 1945. On 19 March 1944, he was granted an emergency commission as a second lieutenant. On 1 August 1945, he transferred to the Devonshire Regiment of the British Army with the rank of war substantive lieutenant. Luscombe became an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) in 1952 and worked as a chartered accountant until 1963.

Ordained ministry

Luscombe was ordained in the Scottish Episcopal Church as a deacon in 1963 and as a priest one year later in 1964. His ecclesiastical career began as a curate at St Margaret's Glasgow after which he was rector of St Barnabas' Paisley. From 1971 to 1975 he was provost of St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee. In 1975, Luscombe was consecrated a bishop and appointed the 50th Bishop of Brechin. Ten years later he was additionally elected the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, a post he held until his retirement in 1990.

Academic career

After retiring, he became an academic and author. He earned an MPhil and PhD research degrees from the University of Dundee where he remained an honorary research fellow in modern history.

Personal life and death

Luscombe died on 3 May 2022, at the age of 97, after a long illness.

Honours

In May 1981, Luscombe was appointed a Serving Brother of the Venerable Order of St John (SBStJ). In January 1986, he was promoted to Officer of the Venerable Order of St John (OStJ). In 1987 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of Dundee.

Selected works