Weeden Butler facts for kids

Weeden Butler (born 1742, died 1823) was an English church leader and writer. He was known for his work as a preacher and for running a school in London for many years.

Weeden Butler's Life Story

Weeden Butler was born in Margate, England, on September 22, 1742. He became an orphan when he was very young. Later, he started training to be a lawyer with Benjamin Rosewell in London. However, he decided to leave the law and join the church instead.

From 1764, Butler worked as an assistant to William Dodd, a priest. He helped Dodd with writing and other tasks for many years. In 1776, Butler took over Dodd's role as the morning preacher at the Charlotte Street chapel in Pimlico. This was a popular church at the time. He continued to preach there until 1814.

In 1778, Butler also became a lecturer at two other churches, St Clement Eastcheap and St Martin Orgars. For over 40 years, he was the head of a school in Chelsea, London, which taught classical subjects. The school was located in Cheyne Walk. One of his students was Thomas Butler, the son of an American politician named Pierce Butler.

In 1814, Weeden Butler retired and moved to Gayton, Northamptonshire. He worked there as a curate (a helper to the main priest) for his son until 1820. After that, his health was not good. He moved to the Isle of Wight, then to Bristol, and finally to Greenhill, Harrow, where he passed away on July 14, 1823. He also served as a chaplain (a religious advisor) to the Duke of Kent and the Queen's Volunteers.

Weeden Butler's Writings

Weeden Butler wrote several books and plays. Here are some of his works:

• The Cheltenham Guide, published in London in 1781. This book was published without his name on it.
• Account of the Life and Writings of the Rev. George Stanhope, D.D., Dean of Canterbury, published in London in 1797. This was also published without his name. It was about George Stanhope.
• Memoir of Mark Hildesley, D.D., Bishop of Sodor and Man, published in London in 1799. This book was about Mark Hildesley.
• Pleasing Recollections, or a Walk through the British Musæum. An interlude of two acts. This was a short play.
• He also left some poems and plays that were never published, including a tragedy called The Syracusan and a comedy called Sir Roger de Coverley.

Butler also helped his friend James Neild with editing books. He prepared new versions of other authors' works, such as John Jortin's Tracts (published in 1790) and Joseph Wilcocks's Roman Conversations (published in 1797).

Weeden Butler's Family

Weeden Butler had two sons who became well-known. One was Weeden Butler the younger, who also became a writer and clergyman. The other was George Butler, who became the headmaster of Harrow School, a famous school in England.