Benjamin Pollard (1890–1967) was born in Devon and whilst studying for his MSc degree at Manchester met and worked under Professor Rutherford, the pioneer of early atomic physics research. He entered the church in 1914 and during his ministry, he was parish priest of Bradfield – known as the largest parish, in the largest riding, in the largest county of England. He was also Vicar and later Bishop Suffragan of Lancaster, before becoming Bishop of Sodor and Mann. Bishop Pollard was the first Manx Bishop since the Reformation to wear the traditional robes of Cope and Mitre.