Trimmer, Sarah

Trimmer, Sarah a zealous promoter of religious education in England, was born at Ipswich, Jan. 6,1741. She was carefully educated, and while a resident of London passed her time in the society of Dr. Johnson, Dr. Gregory Sharpe, and other eminent persons in the literary world. In her reading she was directed by her father. Becoming a mother of a large family of children, her current of thought was turned to education. Having experienced great success in the plan of educating her own family, she naturally wished to extend that blessing to others, and this first induced her to become an author. She strenuously opposed the current of French and German infidelity and a lax education independent of the history and truths of revelation. She was also an early promoter and supporter of Sunday schools. She died Dec. 15,1810. Of her works, we refer to the last London edition: Abridgment of the New Test. (1852, 18mo): — Abridgment of the Old Test. (1850,

12mo): — Help to the Unlearned in the Study of the Holy Scriptures (1805, 8vo; 2d ed. 1850, 2 vols. 12mo): New and Comprehensive Lessons on the New Test. (1849, 18mo): — New and Comprehensive Lessons on the Old Test. (1849, 18mo): — Prayers and Meditations (1842, 12mo; 2d ed. 1860): — Sacred History (1782-85, 6 vols. 12mo; 1841-49, 2 vols. 12mo): — Scripture Catechism (1851, 2 vols. 12mo): — The Economy of Charity (1786; revised 1801): — and many other works on history, education, etc. See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.