Samuel Charles Wilks facts for kids

Samuel Charles Wilks (born 1789, died 1872) was an important religious leader and writer in England. He was a clergyman in the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. He was also well-known as a journalist, meaning he wrote for publications.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Wilks was born in 1789, the son of Samuel Wilks from a place called Newington, Surrey. He was trained to become a church minister. When he was 21, in 1810, he started studying at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, a college at the famous University of Oxford. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1814 and a higher degree (M.A.) in 1816.

Becoming a Clergyman

Wilks decided to become a priest, which is called taking holy orders. He became a deacon in 1813 and then a priest in 1814. Bishop Richard Beadon ordained him. He worked as a curate (a helper to the main priest) in several places, including Norton Malreward, Chew Stoke, and Exeter St Martin.

He joined a group of religious reformers known as the Clapham sect. In 1816, he took over from Zachary Macaulay as the editor of the Christian Observer. This magazine was the main publication for the Clapham sect, sharing their ideas and news. He was also a friend of Charles Simeon, another important religious figure.

Wilks continued to edit the Christian Observer for many years, until 1850. After that, John William Cunningham took over. In 1847, Wilks became the minister of a church in Nursling, near Southampton. He lived there until he passed away on December 23, 1872, when he was 83 years old. He had several children.

His Writings

Even when he was a student, Samuel Wilks was a talented writer. In 1813, he won an award from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for his essay called Essay on the Signs of Conversion and Unconversion in Ministers of the Church. This essay was published in 1814 and was so popular that it had three editions by 1830.

In 1817, he wrote two books called Christian Essays, which he dedicated to Hannah More, a famous writer and philanthropist. In 1835, Wilks also published a new version of Lord Teignmouth's book about Sir William Jones, adding a biography of Lord Teignmouth himself.

Wilks wrote many short articles, essays, and letters about religious topics. Most of these were first printed in the Christian Observer. He was also known for supporting new ideas from geologists, even though these ideas were sometimes different from what many religious people believed at the time.

His Family

In 1818, Samuel Wilks married Rebecca Emma Langstone Earle, who was the daughter of Joseph Earle. They had several children, including a son named Alfred Garratt Platt Wilks, who became a surgeon.