Walker, George (1)

an eminent Puritan divine, was born at Hawkshead, Lancashire, England, in 1581. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge; and went to London, where, in 1614, he became rector of St. John the Evangelist's, in Watling Street. Here he continued for nearly forty years, refusing every other preferment. He also became, at the same time, chaplain to Dr. Felton, bishop of Ely. He was distinguished for his controversial powers and their exercise in several instances. In 1635 he preached a sermon in favor of the sacred observance of the Sabbath, for which he was prosecuted by archbishop Laud, fined, and imprisoned; but was released by order of the Parliament. He was chosen in 1643 one of the Assembly of Divines, and was a witness against Laud, in which he testified that he had endeavored to introduce popery. He died in 1651. See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.