Thomas William Baxter Aveling (11 May 1815 – 3 July 1884) was a British independent

congregational Congregationalism (also Congregational Churches or Congregationalist Churches) is a Reformed Christianity, Reformed Christian (Calvinist) tradition of Protestant Christianity in which churches practice Congregationalist polity, congregational ...

minister, author and memorialist.

Life

Born at Castletown in the

Isle of Man The Isle of Man ( , also ), or Mann ( ), is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. As head of state, Charles III holds the title Lord of Mann and is represented by a Lieutenant Govern ...

, Aveling was the son of a soldier and an Irish mother. He received his theological training at Highbury College, London. In 1838, Aveling was appointed to the pastorate of the Kingsland Congregational Church in Hackney. Reportedly an eloquent and popular pastor, he served at Kingsland for the rest of his life. From 1848 to 1853 he edited the ''Jewish Herald'', the monthly journal of the

British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Among the Jews The British Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Jews founded London 1842, was the Presbyterian and dissenting churches' counterpart to the Anglican London Society for Promoting Christianity Among the Jews (founded 1809, today CMJ). The two ...

(BSPG). He went on a Sabbatical as the guest of Frederick David Mocatta on a nine-month journey through France and Italy to Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land. On his return he published a book: ''Voices from Many Waters, Travels in the Lands of the Tiber, the Jordan and the Nile: with Notices of Asia Minor, Constantinople, Athens, etc.''(London: John Snow, 1856 2nd ed.) In 1876, Aveling was appointed chairman of the

Congregational Union Congregationalism (also Congregational Churches or Congregationalist Churches) is a Reformed Christianity, Reformed Christian (Calvinist) tradition of Protestant Christianity in which churches practice Congregationalist polity, congregational ...

. He also held the post of the honorary secretary of the Asylum for Fatherless Children at Purley. Aveling published a large number of sermons and other pieces. His most important work was the ''Memorials of the Clayton Family'' (8 volumes, 1867). This book contained correspondence between

Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon ( Shirley; 24 August 1707 – 17 June 1791) was an English Methodist leader who played a prominent part in the religious revival of the 18th century and the Methodist movement in England and Wales. She ...

, and prominent British religious authorities of the 18th century. The ''

Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'' (1885) incorrectly states that "some years before his death he received from the Washington University the degree of D.D." Aveling actually received his honorary D.D. degree in 1874 from

Howard University Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and accredited by the Mid ...

in Washington, D.C. He married Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas Goodall, farmer and innkeeper, of

Wisbech Wisbech ( ) is a market town, inland port and civil parish in the Fenland District, Fenland district in Cambridgeshire, England. In 2011 it had a population of 31,573. The town lies in the far north-east of Cambridgeshire, bordering Norfolk and ...

; she died in 1877. Among their eight children was

Edward Aveling Edward Bibbins Aveling (29 November 1849 – 2 August 1898) was an English comparative anatomist and popular spokesman for Darwinian evolution, atheism, and socialism. He was also a playwright and actor. Aveling was the author of numerous ...

.On the extended history of Aveling's family, in particular his mother, father and siblings, see Chushichi Tsuzuki, ''The Life of Eleanor Marx: A Socialist Tragedy'' (Oxford: Clarendon, 1967); Yvonne Kapp, ''Eleanor Marx: Vol 1, Family Life, 1855–1883'' (London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1972); Rachel Holmes, ''Eleanor Marx: A Life'' (London: Bloomsbury, 2014); Deborah Lavin, ''Edward Aveling, 'Son-in-Law of Karl Marx': A Victorian Enigma'' (Michael Wicks, 2021), esp. Chap. 1,2 & 3. Aveling died at Reedham, near

Caterham Caterham () is a town in the Tandridge (district), Tandridge district of Surrey, England. The town is administratively divided into two: Caterham on the Hill, and Caterham Valley, which includes the main town centre in the middle of a dry valle ...

, on 3 July 1884, and was buried in

Abney Park Cemetery Abney Park cemetery is one of the "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries in London, England. Abney Park in Stoke Newington in the London Borough of Hackney is a historic parkland originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney, D ...

, London.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aveling, Thomas William Baxter 1815 births 1884 deaths Manx Protestants British Congregationalist ministers Burials at Abney Park Cemetery