Basil Hume: The Monk Cardinal

Following Cardinal Basil Hume's death on 17 June 1999, The Times concluded his obituary with a remarkable accolade: 'Few churchman in this century, inside or outside the Catholic Church, have died more deeply loved.'

Basil Hume served as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster for twenty-three years and his holiness and wisdom made him an extraordinary leader. In this enthralling biography, Anthony Howard, who has had unique access to Cardinal Hume's private papers and the people who knew him best, traces his life, from his Newcastle upbringing through to his schooling at Ampleforth and his reign at Westminster, including his long and ultimately successful fight on behalf of the Maguire Seven and the Guildford Four.

“The official biography of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, one of the most inspiring spiritual leaders of the 20th century.”

'an excellent biography...it is a mark of Howard's achievement that, as a self-confessed "wistful agnostic", he is able to describe the intricacies of Hume's monastic, spiritual and episcopal life so well' - Sunday Times

'An eminent biographer ... Howard provides delightful details of Hume's human side' - Independent

Anthony Howard is a distinguished political observer who has been editor of both the Listener and the New Statesman and has written for the Guardian, the Sunday Times and the Observer. He currently writes a weekly political column for The Times and is well known to viewers of BBC TV's 'Panorama' and 'Newsnight', as well as many other political programmes. In 1997 he was made a CBE and now lives in London and Shropshire.

On his death in 1999, the "London Times" observed: "Few churchmen in this century, inside or outside the Catholic Church, have died more deeply loved." Basil Hume's 23-year reign brought with it a state of harmony within the Catholic Church that hadn't been enjoyed for four centuries. A deeply holy man, Hume knew at an early age the path he wanted to follow, but it was never an easy journey. Ultimately, however, nothing could deter his dedication to that in which he believed, including his tireless campaign on behalf of the Maguire Seven and the Guildford Four. Granted unique access to Cardinal Hume's private papers and the people who knew him best, Anthony Howard chronicles Hume's long reign with clarity and insight.

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