Henry Bristow Wilson
Encyclopedia
Henry Bristow Wilson was a theologian
and a fellow of St John's College
, Oxford.
in October 1809, and was elected to St John's College, Oxford
, in 1821. Matriculating on 25 June 1821, he graduated B.A. in 1825, M.A. in 1829, and B.D. in 1834, and received a fellowship in 1825, which he retained until 1850. In 1831 he was appointed dean of arts, and he acted as tutor from 1833 to 1835. He was Rawlinsonian Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford
from 1839 to 1844. In 1850 he was presented by St John's College to the vicarage of Great Staughton
in Huntingdonshire
, which he retained until his death.
In the spring of 1841 Wilson joined Archibald Campbell Tait
in the ‘protest of the four tutors’ against John Henry Newman's Tract XC. In the Lent term of 1851 he delivered the Bampton Lectures
, taking as his subject ‘The Communion of the Saints: an Attempt to illustrate the True Principles of Christian Union’ (Oxford, 1851). His lectures hinted a greater freedom in theological enquiry. Widening of theological opinions and of the Christian communion became the main interest of his life.
In 1857 he contributed ‘Schemes of Christian Comprehension’ to ‘Oxford Essays,’ and then in 1861 he published a dissertation on ‘The National Church’ in Essays and Reviews
. Passages in the latter essay provoked a heresy
action against Wilson – John William Burgon
was especially dissatisfied with his views – in the Court of Arches. On 25 June 1862 Wilson, whose case was tried together with that of Rowland Williams;, was found guilty on three out of eight of the articles brought against him, and was sentenced to suspension for a year by the judge, Stephen Lushington
. Wilson and Williams both appealed to the judicial committee of the privy council, and their appeals were heard together in 1863. Wilson's defence occupied 19 and 20 June, and was later published. The appeal was successful, and on 8 February 1864 the judicial committee reversed Lushington's decision. Wilson, however never completely recovered from the strain. During later life he did not reside in his benefice. He died at 1 Lawn Villas, Eltham Road, Lee, on 10 August 1888.
Wilson wrote an introduction to ‘A Brief Examination of prevalent Opinions on the Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments’ (London, 1861).
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...
and a fellow of St John's College
St John's College, Oxford
__FORCETOC__St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford, one of the larger Oxford colleges with approximately 390 undergraduates, 200 postgraduates and over 100 academic staff. It was founded by Sir Thomas White, a merchant, in 1555, whose heart is buried in the chapel of...
, Oxford.
Life
Born on 10 June 1803, he was elder son of Harry Bristow Wilson, by his wife Mary Anne, daughter of John Moore. He entered Merchant Taylors' SchoolMerchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
in October 1809, and was elected to St John's College, Oxford
St John's College, Oxford
__FORCETOC__St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford, one of the larger Oxford colleges with approximately 390 undergraduates, 200 postgraduates and over 100 academic staff. It was founded by Sir Thomas White, a merchant, in 1555, whose heart is buried in the chapel of...
, in 1821. Matriculating on 25 June 1821, he graduated B.A. in 1825, M.A. in 1829, and B.D. in 1834, and received a fellowship in 1825, which he retained until 1850. In 1831 he was appointed dean of arts, and he acted as tutor from 1833 to 1835. He was Rawlinsonian Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
from 1839 to 1844. In 1850 he was presented by St John's College to the vicarage of Great Staughton
Great Staughton
Great Staughton – in Huntingdonshire , England – is a village near Perry west of St Neots.The village has two pubs The White Hart and The Snooty Tavern, a post office and a butcher. The village is also home to the current holder of the newly founded annual Griffin Award.Great Staughton...
in Huntingdonshire
Huntingdonshire
Huntingdonshire is a local government district of Cambridgeshire, covering the area around Huntingdon. Traditionally it is a county in its own right...
, which he retained until his death.
In the spring of 1841 Wilson joined Archibald Campbell Tait
Archibald Campbell Tait
Archibald Campbell Tait was a priest in the Church of England and an Archbishop of Canterbury.-Life:Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tait was educated at the Royal High School and at the Edinburgh Academy, where he was twice elected dux. His parents were Presbyterian but he early turned towards the...
in the ‘protest of the four tutors’ against John Henry Newman's Tract XC. In the Lent term of 1851 he delivered the Bampton Lectures
Bampton Lectures
The Bampton Lectures at the University of Oxford, England, were founded by a bequest of John Bampton,. They have taken place since 1780.They were a series of annual lectures; since the turn of the 20th century they have typically been biennial. They continue to concentrate on Christian theological...
, taking as his subject ‘The Communion of the Saints: an Attempt to illustrate the True Principles of Christian Union’ (Oxford, 1851). His lectures hinted a greater freedom in theological enquiry. Widening of theological opinions and of the Christian communion became the main interest of his life.
In 1857 he contributed ‘Schemes of Christian Comprehension’ to ‘Oxford Essays,’ and then in 1861 he published a dissertation on ‘The National Church’ in Essays and Reviews
Essays and Reviews
Essays and Reviews, published in March 1860, is a broad-church volume of seven essays on Christianity. The topics covered the biblical research of the German critics, the evidence for Christianity, religious thought in England, and the cosmology of Genesis....
. Passages in the latter essay provoked a heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
action against Wilson – John William Burgon
John William Burgon
John William Burgon was an English Anglican divine who became the Dean of Chichester Cathedral in 1876. He is remembered for his passionate defence of the historicity and Mosaic authorship of Genesis and of Biblical inerrancy in general.-Biography:Burgon was born at Smyrna, the son of an English...
was especially dissatisfied with his views – in the Court of Arches. On 25 June 1862 Wilson, whose case was tried together with that of Rowland Williams;, was found guilty on three out of eight of the articles brought against him, and was sentenced to suspension for a year by the judge, Stephen Lushington
Stephen Lushington (judge)
Stephen Lushington was a Doctor of Civil Law, a judge, a Member of Parliament and a radical for the abolition of slavery and capital punishment.-Early life and education:...
. Wilson and Williams both appealed to the judicial committee of the privy council, and their appeals were heard together in 1863. Wilson's defence occupied 19 and 20 June, and was later published. The appeal was successful, and on 8 February 1864 the judicial committee reversed Lushington's decision. Wilson, however never completely recovered from the strain. During later life he did not reside in his benefice. He died at 1 Lawn Villas, Eltham Road, Lee, on 10 August 1888.
Wilson wrote an introduction to ‘A Brief Examination of prevalent Opinions on the Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments’ (London, 1861).