Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Green, Henry (1801-1873)
GREEN, HENRY (1801–1873), author, was born near Penshurst, Kent, on 23 June 1801. His father, a successful paper-maker, had intended his son for his own business. Literary tastes, however, and the influence of the Rev. George Harris, under whose care he was placed, induced him to devote himself to the ministry. He entered Glasgow University in November 1822, and after a distinguished career there took his M.A. degree in April 1825. In January 1827 he became minister of the old presbyterian chapel, Knutsford, Cheshire, which office he resigned in June 1872. During part of his pastorate he conducted a large private school, and published several handbooks to Euclid. He died on 9 Aug. 1873 at Knutsford, and he was buried in the yard of the old chapel. He married Mary, daughter of John Brandreth, who died 14 June 1871. Five of his six children survived him. His only son, Philip Henry, after a distinguished career at the bar, was appointed to an Indian judgeship. He was killed in the hotel at Casamicciola, Ischia, during the earthquake on 28 July 1883.
The following is a list of Green's chief writings: 1. 'Sir I. Newton's Views on Points of Trinitarian Doctrine; his Articles of Faith, and the general coincidence of his Opinions with those of J. Locke, &c.,' Manchester, 1856, 12mo. 2. 'The Cat in Chancery,' a volume of satirical verse, Manchester, 1858, published anonymously. 3. 'Knutsford and its Traditions and History, with Reminiscences, Anecdotes, and Notices of the Neighbourhood,' 1859. This accurate and interesting work was reprinted in 1887. 4. 'A Ramble to Ludchurch,' a poem, 1871, 8vo, and a number of sermons and contributions to antiquarian societies. During the last few years of his life he occupied himself much with the study of the early emblem writers, and published a facsimile reprint of 'Whitney's Choice of Emblems, with Notes and Dissertations,' 1866, 4to; 'Shakespeare and the Emblem Writers, with a View of the Emblem Literature down to A.D. 1616,' 1870. He was one of the founders and a member of the council of the Holbein Society, for which he edited six works. He was also the author of some pamphlets in defence of the church of England (in which he was born and brought up till his sixteenth year) against the efforts of the Liberation Society.
[Brit. Mus. Cat.; Unitarian Herald, 22 Aug. 1873; private information.]