Benjamin Fawcett (minister)

Benjamin Fawcett (1715–1780) was an English

Life

Fawcett was born at

For the use of his congregations he published abridgments of many of Richard Baxter's writings, and edited other religious works.

Between 1756 and 1774 Fawcett published many sermons, the first being 'The Grand Enquiry,’ &c., 1756. His major pieces were:

• 'Candid Reflections on the different manner in which the learned and pious have expressed their conceptions concerning the doctrine of the Trinity,’ &c., Shrewsbury, 1777; second edition, enlarged, Shrewsbury, 1778; an 'appendix' to the second edition, Shrewsbury, 1780. These were in a letter to a friend, probably Orton. The publication is
  doctrine of the Trinity
  may be stated. Orton, who saw the manuscript, warned Fawcett that its publication 'would for ever ruin his reputation among the warm, zealous people.' It led to a controversy with William Fuller, an independent layman, which was continued by Samuel Palmer after Fawcett's death.
• 'Observations on the Causes and Cure of ... Religious Melancholy,’ &c., Shrewsbury, 1780.

Family

Fawcett's son Samuel was ordained at Beaminster, Dorset in 1777; he became a Unitarian, and retired from the ministry, living on his private estate near Bridport. From 1801 to 1816 he was Unitarian minister at Yeovil, where he died on 14 December 1835, aged 81.

References

• "Fawcett, Benjamin" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Fawcett, Benjamin". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.