Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Atmore, Charles
ATMORE, CHARLES (1759–1826), Wesleyan minister, was born at Heacham, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, 17 Aug. 1769, his father being the captain of a ship belonging to Lynn. In June 1779 he turned his attention to the Wesleyan ministry, and in February 1781 he was sent forth by the venerable John Wesley as an itinerant evangelist. At the conference which met in the following August, he was appointed a regular preacher. Wesley formed so high an estimate of his character that three years afterwards he caused his name, although he was then only twenty-four years of age, to be inserted in the deed of declaration as one of the members of the legal conference. In the discussions on the polity and position of Methodism which took place immediately after Wesley's death, Atmore bore a leading part, and his influence and prudent counsels largely contributed to the consolidation of the Wesleyan methodist church.
His ministry until 1825 was exercised in the following towns: York, Edinburgh, Halifax, Bristol, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Wakefield, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Salford, Sheffield. In 1811, while stationed in Hull, he was elected to the presidency of the Wesleyan conference.
He was author of the 'Methodist Memorial' (a perfect treasury of information on early methodism), first published in 1801, and since re-issued; 'Discourses on the Lord's Prayer,' 1807, also republished; besides several pamphlets and occasional sermons.
Atmore, who was twice married, died in Fountain Court, Cheapside, London, on 30 June 1826, aged 66 years.
[Minutes of the Methodist Conferences, especially vol. vi.; Wesleyan Methodist Magazine for 1845; Dr. Osborn's Outlines of Wesleyan Bibliography.]