David Efird

The Reverend
David Efird
Born
David Hampton Efird

(1974-05-18)May 18, 1974
Raleigh, North Carolina, US
Died9 January 2020(2020-01-09) (aged 45)
York, England United Kingdom
Occupation(s)Philosopher, academic and clergyman
TitleSenior lecturer in Philosophy
Academic background
Alma materDuke University
Princeton Theological Seminary
University of Edinburgh
University of Oxford
ThesisUnfenced existence (2002)
Doctoral advisorTimothy Williamson
Academic work
DisciplinePhilosophy
Sub-disciplinePhilosophy of religion
Philosophy of language
Metaphysics
Social epistemology
Theological ethics
Philosophical theology
InstitutionsUniversity of York
Vanbrugh College, York
James College, York

David Hampton Efird (May 18, 1974 – January 9, 2020) was an American philosopher and Anglican priest. As an academic, he specialised in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of religion.

Efird worked at the University of York from 2002. He was a lecturer between 2002 and 2007, and was a senior lecturer from 2007 until his death. He was head of two of York's colleges: Provost of Vanbrugh College, York from 2008 to 2013, and Principal of James College, York from 2013 to 2020.

Efird was a Church of England priest. He was ordained a deacon in 2010 and to the priesthood in 2011. He was a Minor Canon of York Minster, where he served his curacy. He later served as an assistant curate of the Parish of St. Mary Bishophill, an Anglo-Catholic parish in the City of York.

Efird died suddenly on January 9, 2020, in York, United Kingdom, aged 45.[1]

Early life and education

Efird was born on May 18, 1974, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.[citation needed] He studied at Duke University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (AB) degree in 1995. He then studied theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, a seminary associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), and graduated with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1998.[2] Having moved to the United Kingdom, he studied at the University of Edinburgh and graduated with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in 1999.[3] He then undertook postgraduate research at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Professor Timothy Williamson.[4] He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree in 2002.[2] His doctoral thesis was titled "Unfenced existence: the logic and metaphysics of necessary beings".[4][5]

Career

Academic career

In 2002, Efird joined the University of York (in York, England) as a lecturer in philosophy. He was promoted to senior lecturer in 2007.[3] He taught metaphysics, social epistemology, theological ethics, and philosophical theology.[6]

Efird was involved in the leadership of two of York's colleges and was also a head of college twice. From 2003 to 2008, he was Dean of Vanbrugh College, York. From 2008 to 2013, he was Provost of Vanbrugh.[7] From 2013 to 2017, he was Principal of James College, York.[6]

Efird served as an assistant editor of the journal Mind.[3]

Ordained ministry

In 2008, Efird began training for the priesthood with the Yorkshire Ministry Course. He was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2010.[2] On 19 June 2011, he was ordained as a priest by John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, during a service at York Minster.[8][9] From 2010 to 2013, he served his curacy at York Minster where he was also Vicarius Canonicorum (a type of Minor Canon).[2][7] From 2013 until his death, he was a non-stipendiary priest and assistant curate in the Parish of St. Mary Bishophill, an Anglo-Catholic parish in the City of York. The parish includes St Mary's Church and St Clement's Church.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ "David Hampton Efird Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "David Hampton Efird". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "David Efird". Department of Philosophy. University of York. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b Efird, David (2002). "Unfenced existence". Oxford University Research Archive. University of Oxford. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Unfenced existence: the logic and metaphysics of necessary beings". E-Thesis Online Service. The British Library Board. 2002. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  6. ^ a b "David Effird". James College. University of York. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Rev'd Dr David Efird". Vanbrugh College. University of York. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Sixteen Made Priests in York Minster". Archbishop of York. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  9. ^ "Sixteen Made Priests in York Minster". Diocese of York. Church of England. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2016.