Butler, John (1), Dd

Butler, John (1), D.D.

an English prelate, was born in Hamburg, Germany, probably of English parents, in December, 1717. In early life he was a tutor in the family of Mr. Child, a banker. He became, first, chaplain to the bishop of London, and obtained the living of Everley, in Wiltshire. On the recommendation of Lord Onslow he was appointed one of the king's chaplains, and obtained a prebend in Winchester cathedral. He supported the administration of Lord North, and wrote several pamphlets in which he endeavored to justify the American war. As a reward for these services he was made archdeacon of Surrey, and in 1777 bishop of Oxford. He held at the same time the living of Cuddesden. In 1788 he was translated to the' see of Hereford, over which he presided until his death, Dec. 10, 1802. He published several political tracts and a number of single sermons. He collected and published a number of his discourses under the title of Select Sermons, etc. (1801). See Chalmers, Biog. Diet. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.