Kingsbury, William

Kingsbury, William a Congregational minister, was born in London July 12,1744, and educated first at Christ's Hospital, London, and for the ministry at the educational institution for Congregational ministers at Mile End, where he graduated in 1764. He was ordained in 1765, and became pastor of the Independent Church at Southampton, a position which he most successfully filled for forty-five years. In 1772, in addition to his pastoral duties, he established an academy for the education of young men. In 1787 he declined a position in Homerton College. In 1795 he was one of the prime movers in founding the London Missionary Society, and was the first to preside over its deliberations. He died at Caversham Feb. 18, 1818. He published in 1798

An Apology for Village Preachers, in answer to an attack made upon them. Mr. Kingsbury was " one of the brightest ornaments of the ministerial character that has graced the Church of God in modern times-a man of rare and exalted worth, possessed of vigor of intellect, sound critical knowledge, as well as depth of piety."-Morison, Missionary Fathers. (H. C.W.)