George Croly
Encyclopedia
George Croly was a poet
, novelist, historian
, and divine
. He was born at Dublin, his father was a physician. Graduated from Trinity College, Dublin
with an MA in 1804 and LLD in 1831. Croly married Margaret Helen Begbie in 1819.
, a Whig patron and relative, helped Croly become Rector of St Stephen Walbrook
, in the slums. It was there he opened a pulpit that had been closed for a hundred years and developed a high reputation as a preacher. He also served at the same time in St Benet Sherehog
. He retained both positions until his death.
, and Mareton (1846). He wrote as a dramatic critic to the New Times and later as a foreign correspondent. Croly was the leading contributor to the Literary Gazette and Blackwood's Magazine
, published from 1817–25. Croly was also associated with the Tory
magazine Britannia. His chief contribution to theological literature is an exposition of the Apocalypse. One of his hymns is Spirit of God, descend upon my heart written in 1854.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, novelist, historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, and divine
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. He was born at Dublin, his father was a physician. Graduated from Trinity College, Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
with an MA in 1804 and LLD in 1831. Croly married Margaret Helen Begbie in 1819.
Service
After becoming ordained in 1804, he first labored in Ireland until moving to London around 1810. In 1835, Lord BroughamHenry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux
Henry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux was a British statesman who became Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.As a young lawyer in Scotland Brougham helped to found the Edinburgh Review in 1802 and contributed many articles to it. He went to London, and was called to the English bar in...
, a Whig patron and relative, helped Croly become Rector of St Stephen Walbrook
St Stephen Walbrook
St Stephen, Walbrook is a small church in the City of London, part of the Church of England's Diocese of London. It is located in Walbrook, next to the Mansion House, and near to Bank and Monument Underground stations.-History:In the second century A.D...
, in the slums. It was there he opened a pulpit that had been closed for a hundred years and developed a high reputation as a preacher. He also served at the same time in St Benet Sherehog
St Benet Sherehog
St Benet Sherehog, additionally dedicated to St Osyth, was a medieval church built before the year 1111, situated at No. 1 Poultry in Cordwainer Ward, in the then wool-dealing district of the City of London. It was one of the 86 churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and it was not...
. He retained both positions until his death.
Published works
He wrote poems, dramas, satires, novels, history, and theological works, and attained some measure of success in all. Perhaps his best known works are his novels, Salathiel (1828), founded on the legend of the Wandering JewWandering Jew
The Wandering Jew is a figure from medieval Christian folklore whose legend began to spread in Europe in the 13th century. The original legend concerns a Jew who taunted Jesus on the way to the Crucifixion and was then cursed to walk the earth until the Second Coming...
, and Mareton (1846). He wrote as a dramatic critic to the New Times and later as a foreign correspondent. Croly was the leading contributor to the Literary Gazette and Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine. The first number appeared in April 1817 under the editorship of Thomas Pringle and James Cleghorn...
, published from 1817–25. Croly was also associated with the Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
magazine Britannia. His chief contribution to theological literature is an exposition of the Apocalypse. One of his hymns is Spirit of God, descend upon my heart written in 1854.