Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Crathorne, William
CRATHORNE, WILLIAM (1670–1740), catholic divine, born in October 1670, was descended from the ancient family of Crathorne of Crathorne in Yorkshire. He was educated in the English college at Douay, where he was a professor for several years. On being ordained priest he assumed the name of Yaxley, and after he returned to this country on the mission he appears to have used the alias of Augustin Shepherd. The scene of his missionary labours was Hammersmith, where he died on 11 March 1739–1740.
He published: 1. ‘A Catholick's Resolution, shewing his reasons for not being a Protestant,’ 1718? 2. The ‘Spiritual Works’ of John Goter or Gother, 16 vols. Lond. 1718, 12mo. Bishop Giffard, with whom Crathorne resided, commissioned him to prepare this edition. 3. ‘Roman Missal for the use of the Laity,’ from the manuscript of Goter, 2 vols. Lond. n.d. 12mo. 4. ‘Historical Catechism,’ translated from the French of Fleury, 2 vols. Lond. 1726, 12mo. 5. ‘Life of St. Francis of Sales,’ from the French of Marsollier, Lond. 1737, 8vo. 6. ‘Life of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ from the French, Lond. 1739. 7. Several devotional works, including ‘The Daily Companion, or a Little Pocket Manual,’ 3rd ed. Lond. 1743, a prayer-book which has gone through innumerable editions.
[Gillow's Bibl. Dict. i. 587, quoting Kirk's manuscript Biographical Collections in the possession of Cardinal Manning.]