Caleb Ashworth facts for kids

Caleb Ashworth, D.D. (1722–1775) was an English teacher who ran a special school for students who were not part of the official Church of England. These schools were called dissenting academies.

Early Life and Education (1722-1752)

Caleb Ashworth was born in 1722 in a place called Cloughfold, Lancashire. His father, Richard Ashworth, was a lay preacher, meaning he led religious services without being an ordained minister.

Caleb first worked as a carpenter. Later, he decided to study to become a minister. He attended a special school in Northampton, starting in 1739. This school was run by a famous teacher named Philip Doddridge.

In 1746, Caleb Ashworth moved to Daventry. He began working there as an assistant teacher.

Leading Daventry Academy (1752-1775)

When his teacher, Philip Doddridge, passed away, Caleb Ashworth was chosen to take over the academy. In 1752, he moved the school to Daventry. This school became known as the Daventry Academy.

In 1759, Caleb Ashworth earned a special degree called D.D., which stands for Doctor of Divinity. This is a high academic honor in theology. He continued to lead the Daventry Academy until he passed away on July 18, 1775.

What Was Taught at Daventry Academy?

Under Caleb Ashworth's leadership, Daventry Academy became a very important place for learning. It was especially popular among students who wanted to study without following the rules of the Church of England.

The academy taught many subjects. Students learned about philosophy, which is the study of knowledge and existence. They also studied ethics, which is about right and wrong, and physics, which is the study of how the world works. Caleb Ashworth even wrote a Hebrew grammar book for his students.

One of his most famous students was Joseph Priestley. Priestley later became a very important scientist and philosopher. He said that Dr. Ashworth always taught the traditional views on religion and philosophy. However, another teacher, Samuel Clark, would present different, more modern ideas. This way, students learned to think for themselves and consider different viewpoints.

A former student, Rev. T. Thomas, described the difference between Ashworth and his predecessor, Doddridge. He said that Doddridge's teaching felt more "popular," while Ashworth's teaching was more "disciplined." This means Ashworth focused on a more structured and rigorous way of learning.

Caleb Ashworth's Family

Caleb Ashworth married a woman named Miss Hemings. They had six children together, three sons and three daughters. One of his sons, John, also attended Daventry Academy. However, John later chose a different path and became a farmer.