Cardinal Nicholas Patrick Stephen Wiseman became the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster in 1850 upon the official, post-Reformation, re-establishment of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Wiseman was an extraordinary man, and one of the key figures in the revival of Catholicism in this country. Born in Spain to Irish parents, he studied at the English College in Rome, becoming its Rector in 1828 at the astonishing age of 25. A fine linguist, he was given charge of the Vatican's arabic manuscripts. In 1850, he became the first Archbishop of the newly erected Diocese of Westminster, and a Cardinal.

During his life, his preaching, writings and example did much to advance the Catholic cause in England, and he was widely respected as a churchman and a scholar.