The Life of Father Ignatius Spencer, C. P.

Who is this ragged old pauper lying dead in a ditch in Scotland in 1865, penniless and alone? 

Can it really be the Honourable George Spencer - son, brother and uncle of earls? Whose father was the First Lord of the Admiralty? Whose sister is governess to Queen Victoria? Whose cousin and playfellow was the Lord Lucan who gave the fateful order to the Light Brigade? The relative of the Dukes of Marlborough and Devonshire, the familiar acquaintance of Prime Ministers? An alumnus of Eton and Cambridge, a scholar, polyglot, and one-time man-about-town? Whose great great great niece, Lady Diana Spencer, is destined to wed the heir to the throne?

Look closer. What is this strange black habit about the corpse? But hush - it is the body of a priest, a religious. The dead man has voluntarily renounced riches for poverty, comfort for the Cross, friendship with the mighty for fellowship with the poor. He has given up even his name and title for that of Father Ignatius of St. Paul.

Here is his story.