Adelbert John Robert Anson was born 20 December 1840 in London, England, brother of the Earl of Lichfield. He was eductated at Eton Public School and Christ Church, Oxford. He studied Theology at Lichfield Theological College, ordained deacon 2 September 1864 and ordained priest 21 September 1865. He was at first curate of St John’s, Wolverhampton, then in sucession vicar of St Leonard’s, Bilston, then St Michael’s, Handsworth, then rector of Woolwich.
In 1883 Aldelbert Anson was given a roving mission to establish and organize the church in the District of Assiniboia. At the time it had one resident clergyman in Regina and two travelling missionaries, one to visit the railway stations and the other to minister to the Indians.
Aldelbert Anson returned to England and succeeded in raising sufficient funds to establish a diocese. He was consecrated Bishop of the new Diocese of Assiniboia on 24 June 1884 and returned to Canada with a staff of 8 priests, 1 deacon and 6 lay-readers. He at first resided in Regina but moved to Qu’Appelle Station in 1885.
The mission was well-financed and well-organized but the anticpated influx of large numbers of immigrants did not materialize and the Church grew slowly. However, there were 16 clergy and 23 churches when Bishop Anson resigned 31 December 1892. Adelbert Anson returned to England and died 27th May 1909.