Thomas Binney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Binney
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| Born | 1798 |
| Died | 24 February 1874 |
| Nationality | British |
Thomas Binney (1798–1874) was an important English church leader in the 1800s. He was part of the Congregationalist group, which was a type of Protestant church. People often called him the "Archbishop of Nonconformity."
Binney was known for his powerful speeches and writings. He defended the ideas of Nonconformity, which meant not following the official Church of England. He also wrote poems and songs for church services. A big part of his work was fighting against slavery.
Thomas Binney's Life Story
Thomas Binney was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1798. His parents were Presbyterian, another type of Protestant church. He went to a regular school when he was young.
For seven years, he worked for a bookseller and printer named George Angus in Newcastle. One of his co-workers, Robert Emery, wrote a song about a big freeze on the River Tyne in 1814. Thomas Binney helped finish that song. After working with books, he went to a special school called Wymondley College to study religion.
Leading Churches
In 1829, Thomas Binney became the leader of the historic King's Weigh House Chapel in London. Before that, he had worked in churches in Bedford and Newport, Isle of Wight. He became very popular at King's Weigh House. So many people wanted to hear him that they had to build a much bigger church building.
He laid the first stone for the new chapel himself in 1834. When he gave a speech at this event, he strongly criticized the Church of England. This caused a long and heated argument. Throughout his life, Binney was against the idea of a church being controlled by the government. However, he was still friendly with many leaders of the official church.
Fighting Against Slavery
Thomas Binney was a very active member of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. This group was started in 1839 to end slavery. A famous painting at the National Portrait Gallery in London shows the first World Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840. In the painting, Thomas Clarkson is introducing the event, and Thomas Binney is leading the meeting.
In 1853, an African-American leader named Samuel Ringgold Ward came to Britain. He was raising money for the Anti-slavery Society of Canada. Many enslaved people had escaped from the United States and found safety in Canada. Ward had letters of introduction to Binney and other church leaders in London. Binney later wrote a book about Thomas Fowell Buxton, another important leader who fought against slavery in the British Parliament.
Later Life and Legacy
Binney continued to lead his church until 1869, when he retired. In 1845, he visited Canada and the United States. From 1857 to 1859, he traveled to Australia. The University of Aberdeen gave him an honorary degree in 1852. He was also chosen twice to be the chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.
Thomas Binney helped change how church services were done in Nonconformist churches. He also encouraged more singing in church with his book called The Service of Song in the House of the Lord. One of his most famous books was Is it Possible to Make the Best of Both Worlds?. It was based on a speech he gave to young men. This book was very popular, selling 30,000 copies in just one year. He also wrote many church songs, including the well-known hymn "Eternal Light! Eternal Light!"
Thomas Binney gave his last speech in November 1873. He passed away a few months later on February 24, 1874. His funeral service was held at Abney Park Cemetery in London. You can still see his tall pink stone monument there today.
