John Henley (preacher)
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John Henley | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 13 October 1756 | (aged 64)
Nationality | English |
Other names | Orator Henley |
Occupation(s) | Preacher Clergyman |
John Henley (3 August 1692 – 13 October 1756), English
Life
The son of a vicar, John Henley was born in Melton Mowbray. After attending the grammar schools of Melton and Oakham, Rutland, he entered St John's College, Cambridge,[1] "Ye College where I had ye Stupidity to be educated," as he himself said. After having taken a B.A. degree, he became assistant and, afterwards, director in the grammar school of Melton Mowbray. He was also assistant curate there.
In November 1721, after being promoted to an M.A. degree, he moved to London, where he obtained the appointment of assistant preacher and wrote several books. Quarrelling with the Bishop of London, he gave up his benefice, and began his lectures or 'Orations' on theological subjects and mundane matters. In 1723 he became Rector of Chelmondiston, Suffolk.[2]
On 3 July 1726 Henley opened his so-called 'Oratory', a meeting room built over the
Henley knew that the most original element in the services was he himself. In his
"great restorer of the good old Stage
Preacher at once and Zany of thy age."
He possessed oratorical ability and adopted a theatrical style of elocution, tuning his voice and balancing his hands. His addresses were a medley of solemnity and buffoonery. The Connoisseur, a critical weekly paper, wrote that
"the Clare-Market Orator, while he turns religion into farce, must be considered as exhibiting shews and interludes of an inferior nature, and himself regarded as a Jack-pudding in a gown and cassock."
Despite all criticism, the energetic and eccentric 'Orator' was popular with most Londoners. His services were much frequented by the
Henley was the subject of contemporary caricatures, among them works by George Bickham the Younger and William Hogarth.
Works
In 1714, he wrote a poem styled Esther, Queen of
Notes
- ^ "Henley, John (HNLY709J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Henley, John (1726). The Primitive Liturgy, and Eucharist: According to the Institution of Christ and His Apostles.
References
- Midgley, Graham (1973). The life of Orator Henley. Clarendon Press. ISBN 9780198120322.
External links
Media related to John Henley (preacher) at Wikimedia Commons