Weeden Butler the elder (1742–1823) was an English cleric and writer.

Life

Butler was born at

Margate Margate is a seaside resort, seaside town in the Thanet District of Kent, England. It is located on the north coast of Kent and covers an area of long, north-east of Canterbury and includes Cliftonville, Garlinge, Palm Bay, UK, Palm Bay and W ...

on 22 September 1742. Orphaned as a young child, he was later articled to the attorney Benjamin Rosewell in London, but left the legal profession for the church. He acted as

amanuensis An amanuensis ( ) ( ) or scribe is a person employed to write or type what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. It may also be a person who signs a document on behalf of another under the latter's authority. In some aca ...

to William Dodd, the clerical fraudster, from 1764 until Dodd was hanged in 1777. In 1776, he had succeeded Dodd as the morning preacher at the Charlotte Street chapel in

Pimlico Pimlico () is a district in Central London, in the City of Westminster, built as a southern extension to neighbouring Belgravia. It is known for its garden squares and distinctive Regency architecture. Pimlico is demarcated to the north by Lon ...

, a fashionable place of worship. He officiated here until 1814. In 1778, Butler was the lecturer at St Clement Eastcheap and St Martin Orgars, and for more than 40 years he was the master of a classical school in Chelsea. Located in

Cheyne Walk Cheyne Walk is a historic road in Chelsea, London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It runs parallel with the River Thames. Before the construction of Chelsea Embankment reduced the width of the Thames here, it fronted t ...

, students of the school included Thomas Butler, son of Pierce Butler. In 1814, Butler retired to

Gayton, Northamptonshire Gayton is a rural village and civil parish in West Northamptonshire, England, south-west of Northampton town centre. The village is situated on a hill close to the larger villages of Bugbrooke, Milton Malsor and Blisworth, with a linked Rights ...

, where he acted as curate to his son until 1820. Then, in poor health, he went at first to the

Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight (Help:IPA/English, /waɪt/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''WYTE'') is an island off the south coast of England which, together with its surrounding uninhabited islets and Skerry, skerries, is also a ceremonial county. T ...

, then to

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...

, then finally to Greenhill, Harrow, where he died on 14 July 1823. He was chaplain to the

Duke of Kent Duke of Kent is a title that has been created several times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of King George V. Since 1942, the title has been held by Prince Edwa ...

and the Queen's Volunteers.

Works

Butler's works were: * ''The Cheltenham Guide'', London, 1781 (anon.). * ''Account of the Life and Writings of the Rev. George Stanhope, D.D., Dean of Canterbury'', London, 1797, (anon.); on George Stanhope. * ''Memoir of Mark Hildesley, D.D., Bishop of Sodor and Man'', London, 1799; on

Mark Hildesley Mark Hiddesley or Hildesley (9 December 1698 – 7 December 1772) was an Anglican churchman. He served as vicar of Hitchin in Hertfordshire and later as Bishop of Sodor and Man between 1755 and 1772, where he encouraged Bible translations into Ma ...

. * ''Pleasing Recollections, or a Walk through the British Musæum. An interlude of two acts'', British Library Addit. MS. 27276. * Poems left in manuscript, including ''The Syracusan'', a tragedy, and ''Sir Roger de Coverley'', a comedy. Butler assisted his friend

James Neild James Neild (4 June 1744 – 16 February 1814) was an English jeweller and prison reformer. While he was supported by two particular friends, Weeden Butler and John Coakley Lettsom, his efforts were distinct from those of John Howard, and the ...

with editorial work. He also prepared editions of John Jortin's ''Tracts'', 2 vols. 1790, and Joseph Wilcocks's ''Roman Conversations'', 2 vols. 1797.

Family

He was father of

Weeden Butler the younger Weeden Butler the younger (1773–1831) was an English cleric and author. Life He was the eldest son of the Rev. Weeden Butler (1742–1823), and George Butler was his brother; he was educated by his father. In 1790 he entered Sidney Sussex Colle ...

, and of

George Butler George Butler may refer to: Arts and entertainment * George Butler (filmmaker) (1944–2021), American filmmaker * George Butler (record producer) (1931–2008), American record producer * George Bernard Butler (1838–1907), American painter * Geo ...

, headmaster of

Harrow School Harrow School () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school (English boarding school for boys) in Harrow on the Hill, Greater London, England. The school was founded in 1572 by John Lyon (school founder), John Lyon, a local landowner an ...

Notes

;Attribution

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Weeden 1742 births 1823 deaths 18th-century English Anglican priests 18th-century English writers 19th-century English Anglican priests Amanuenses Weeden People from Margate