Reginald Walter Church (1815–1890), commonly referred to as R. W. Church, was a renowned English historian and biographer whose scholarly contributions extend to the realms of theology and literature. He holds a distinguished place among Victorian men of letters, respected for his scrupulous approach to scholarship and his urbane literary style. Church is perhaps best known for his insightful biography titled 'Bacon' (1884), offering a penetrating look into the life and times of the philosopher and statesman Sir Francis Bacon. Church's biography is distinguished not only for its historical precision but also for its thoughtful analysis of Bacon's intellectual legacy. A Dean of St Paul's, Church was steeped in the Anglican tradition, and his works often reflect a nuanced understanding of his subjects, both as historical figures and within the wider context of English culture and thought. Church's literary style, characterized by its clarity and balance, mirrors the intellectual traditions of the Oxford Movement of which he was a part, and his writings on other noted figures, such as Dante and Spenser, further attest to his standing as a critic of significant literary acumen. His body of work continues to be appreciated by scholars and admirers of Victorian literature and history.