Robert Halley facts for kids
Robert Halley (born August 13, 1796 – died August 18, 1876) was an important English minister. He was part of the Congregational church. Halley was also known for his work against slavery. He supported the movement to change the Corn Laws. He taught at Highbury College and later led New College in London.
.jpg)
Contents
Robert's Early Life
Robert Halley was born in Blackheath, near London, in 1796. His father, Robert Halley senior, came from Perthshire, Scotland. He moved south to become a nurseryman in Blackheath. Robert's mother, Ann Bellows, was from Dorset. She passed away when Robert was very young. He then lived with his uncle in Dorset for a few years.
Later, Robert returned to Blackheath. He went to Maze Hill School. In 1810, he started working with his father as a nurseryman. Robert's father was a very religious man. He walked a long way every Sunday to attend a Presbyterian Chapel. Later, he found a closer chapel in Deptford. He became a leader there.
Robert often walked with his father to church on Sundays. They would attend the service, have lunch, and then visit people who were sick or poor. This upbringing made Robert want to work in the church. In 1816, he got a place at Homerton College. He studied there for six years.
Life as a Church Leader
On June 11, 1822, Robert Halley became a pastor. He led a new church in St. Neot's, Huntingdonshire. Four years later, in 1826, he was asked to teach at the new Highbury College. He became a Classical Tutor there. His excellent work led to a special degree. Princeton College in New Jersey gave him a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree in 1834.
In 1833, Halley became known for his work against slavery. He gave a powerful speech called The Sinfulness of Colonial Slavery. This speech was given at the church of his former teacher, John Pye Smith, in Hackney. In 1839, Halley returned to being a pastor. He led the Mosley Street Chapel in Manchester.
In Manchester, he became very involved in the Anti-Corn Law movement. This movement wanted to change laws about grain imports. These laws made food expensive. Many working-class people in northern cities wanted these laws changed. Robert Halley strongly supported this cause.
One of Halley's sons, Jacob John (1834-1910), also became a minister. He was a well-known Congregational minister in Australia. Another son, Dr. Ebenezer Halley (born 1836), became a doctor in New Zealand.
Life as a College Principal
Later in his life, Robert Halley became the Principal of New College in London. He held this important position from 1857 to 1872. He also wrote many books and sermons.
His Final Resting Place
Robert Halley passed away in 1876. His memorial is a stone tomb. It stands in Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, London.
