John Barlow (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
The Reverend John Barlow FRS
(1799–1869) was an Anglican clergyman and Secretary of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (1843–1860) and later Chaplain-in-Ordinary at Kensington Palace
.
in 1799. He was educated at Blundell's School
and Trinity College, Cambridge
before taking holy orders. In 1822 Barlow was appointed curate of the Parish of Uckfield
, Sussex
and married Cecilia Anne Lam in 1824.
Between 1830 and 1842 Barlow was rector of Little Bowden
, Northamptonshire
. He held the position until 1843 even though he appears to have been largely absent - he moved to London in 1830 and his younger brother acted as curate.
Barlow became a member of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (RI) in 1832 and a manager in 1838. In 1834 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society
. From 1837 to 1838 he was Secretary of the Zoological Society
.
In 1841 he succeeded Michael Faraday
(1791–1867) as Secretary of the Lectures Committee at the RI. Almost uniquely as an Anglican clergyman, Barlow enjoyed a close friendship with Michael Faraday.
In 1843 he was elected Honorary Secretary of the RI, a position he held until 1860. In that role Barlow he made significant administrative changes in the running of the RI and gave lectures on the practical application of science.
Barlow published some of his research in "The Discovery of the Vital Principle or Physiology of Man" (1838). He also published "On Man's Power Over Himself to Prevent or Control Insanity" (1849), which highlighted the importance of moral management of the insane rather than the use of intimidation.
In 1851 Barlow became Minister of the Duke Street Chapel, London and from 1854 to 1859, he was Chaplain-in-Ordinary at Kensington Palace
.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(1799–1869) was an Anglican clergyman and Secretary of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (1843–1860) and later Chaplain-in-Ordinary at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
.
Life and career
Barlow born the son of the Vicar of HalbertonHalberton
Halberton is a village in Devon, England. The Grand Western Canal runs through the village. The village is situated between the historic market towns of Tiverton and Cullompton....
in 1799. He was educated at Blundell's School
Blundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
before taking holy orders. In 1822 Barlow was appointed curate of the Parish of Uckfield
Uckfield
-Development:The local Tesco has proposed the redevelopment of the central town area as has the town council. The Hub has recently been completed, having been acquired for an unknown figure, presumed to be about half a million pounds...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
and married Cecilia Anne Lam in 1824.
Between 1830 and 1842 Barlow was rector of Little Bowden
Little Bowden
Little Bowden is an area of Market Harborough in Leicestershire, England. As a village it was formerly part of Northamptonshire.The River Jordan runs through part of the area.-Places of interest:...
, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
. He held the position until 1843 even though he appears to have been largely absent - he moved to London in 1830 and his younger brother acted as curate.
Barlow became a member of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (RI) in 1832 and a manager in 1838. In 1834 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. From 1837 to 1838 he was Secretary of the Zoological Society
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats...
.
In 1841 he succeeded Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday, FRS was an English chemist and physicist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry....
(1791–1867) as Secretary of the Lectures Committee at the RI. Almost uniquely as an Anglican clergyman, Barlow enjoyed a close friendship with Michael Faraday.
In 1843 he was elected Honorary Secretary of the RI, a position he held until 1860. In that role Barlow he made significant administrative changes in the running of the RI and gave lectures on the practical application of science.
Barlow published some of his research in "The Discovery of the Vital Principle or Physiology of Man" (1838). He also published "On Man's Power Over Himself to Prevent or Control Insanity" (1849), which highlighted the importance of moral management of the insane rather than the use of intimidation.
In 1851 Barlow became Minister of the Duke Street Chapel, London and from 1854 to 1859, he was Chaplain-in-Ordinary at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
.
Sources
- Copy of "On Man's Power Over Himself to Prevent or Control Insanity" available to view on Google Books
- The Royal Institution holds a portrait, a bust and some photographs of John Barlow.
- The Royal Institution holds the John Barlow Collection (Ref. GB 0116), being the papers of John Barlow including scrapbooks containing letters, newspaper cuttings, biographical notes, autographs, reports and photographs, c1750-1875 (Ref JB1-JB2)
- Other papers of John Barlow are located at: Lambeth Palace Library (reference: MS 1379).