Andrew Reed (minister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Reed
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Reverend Andrew Reed
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| Born | 27 November 1787 |
| Died | 25 February 1862 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Congregational minister and hymnwriter |
Andrew Reed (born November 27, 1787 – died February 25, 1862) was an important English minister. He wrote hymns and was known for helping many people. He worked to improve society. Andrew Reed was the father of Sir Charles Reed and the grandfather of Talbot Baines Reed.
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Early Life and Ministry
Andrew Reed came from a humble family. He started his career as an apprentice. In 1807, he began studying to become a minister. He attended Hackney Academy. In 1811, he became a minister at New Road Chapel.
Around 1830, he helped build a larger church called Wycliffe Chapel. He served there until 1861. In 1834, he visited America. He received a special degree from Yale University. He also wrote a book about his trip. He created a hymn-book in 1841. He also published some sermons and religious books.
Helping Others: Andrew Reed's Charities
Andrew Reed is famous for starting many charities. He wanted to help people who needed it most. He created several important places. These included orphanages and hospitals.
Homes for Children
He started the London Orphan Asylum in 1813. This school is now known as Reed's School. He also founded the Infant Orphan Asylum in 1827. This was located in Wanstead.
In 1844, he started another orphanage. It was called the Asylum for Fatherless Children. He made sure this new orphanage welcomed children from all religious backgrounds. This was important because other places only accepted children from the Church of England. In 1858, this orphanage moved to Purley. It became known as the Reedham Orphanage. This name honored Andrew Reed.
Hospitals for the Sick
Andrew Reed also helped create hospitals. In 1847, he started a home for people with learning disabilities. This was first in Highgate. It later moved to Earlswood in Surrey. It also had a branch in Colchester. This became the Royal Earlswood Hospital.
In 1855, he founded the Royal Hospital for Incurables. This hospital was in Putney. It is now called the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.
Working with Others
Andrew Reed worked with his wife, Elizabeth Holmes Reed. She helped him with many of his charity projects. Elizabeth also wrote about twenty hymns for his hymn book. She wrote children's stories too.
Reed was very good at finding people to support his work. He had many generous friends and donors. These included important people like Sir Morton Peto and Angela Burdett Coutts.
He believed in helping everyone. His will stated that his charities should be open to all orphans. This was regardless of their religion or background. He wanted charity to be the most important thing.
Working for Change: Social Reform
Andrew Reed also worked for social change. He supported ending the Corn Laws. These laws made food expensive. He also helped people from South Africa. He helped them travel to London to speak about their rights.
He visited America in the 1830s. He was a delegate from England. During his visit, he helped start Boston's first anti-slavery society. He strongly believed that slavery should end. He wrote about how unfair slavery was in America. He also spoke about helping the native people of America. He felt they deserved justice too.
His son, Charles Reed, became even more involved in politics. Charles became a Member of Parliament. He also led the first London School Board.
Death and Memorial
Andrew Reed died in Hackney, London. He was buried in Abney Park Cemetery. This cemetery is in Stoke Newington, north-east London. His memorial is a tall, red stone monument. It stands near the memorial for his son, Sir Charles Reed. His grandson, Talbot Baines Reed, also has a memorial nearby. Andrew Reed's eldest son, Andrew, is buried with him.
Books by Andrew Reed
- Reed, Andrew & Matheson, James (1823). Martha: a memorial of an only & beloved sister.
- Reed, Andrew (1835). A Narrative of the Visit to the American Churches.
- Gutzlaff, Charles, revised by Reed, Andrew (1838). China Opened.
- Reed, Andrew (1842). Hymn Book, Prepared from Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns and Other Hymns, with Some Originals.
- Reed, Andrew (1843). Revival of Religion in Wycliffe Chapel.
- Reed, Andrew & Reed, Charles (1863). Memoirs of the Life and Philanthropic Labours of Andrew Reed, D.D..
