Nightingale, Joseph

Nightingale, Joseph an English dissenting divine, was born in Lancashire in 1775. He became a Wesleyan minister at Macclesfield, and soon after settled at London, where he supported himself principally by his literary exertions. At the time when he published his Portraiture of Methodismi (Lond. 1807, 8vo)in many points a caricature — he had become a convert to Unitarianism. He died in 1824. He wrote, besides the above-mentioned work, A Portraiture of the Roman Catholic Religion, or an unprejudiced Sketch of the History, Doctrines, Opinions, Discipline, and Present State of Catholicism (Lond. 1812, 8vo): — The Religions and Religious Ceremonies of all Nations accurately and impartially described; including Christians. Mohammedans. Jews, Brahmins, and Pagans, of all Sects and Denominations (ibid. 1821, 12mo): — Report of the Trial Nightingale vs. Stockdale, in an Action for a Libel, contained in a Review of the Portraiture of Methodism (ibid. 1809, 8vo). See Darling, Cycl. Bibliographica,. 2:2203; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, vol. ii, s.v. (J. N. P.)