Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mackenzie, William Bell

by Albert Frederick Pollard

MACKENZIE, WILLIAM BELL (1806–1870), divine, son of James Mackenzie of Sheffield, was born on 7 April 1806, and was educated at the grammar school there. Both his father and mother died in 1822, and Mackenzie began to study law, but by the help of some exhibitions was enabled to enter Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 26 June 1830, graduating B. A. 1834, and M.A. 1837. He became curate of St. James's, Bristol, in 1834, and in 1838 incumbent of St. James's, Holloway, where the poverty of his parish involved him in much hard work. Mackenzie gradually collected a large congregation; he advocated the cause of the Moravian church, and was among the first to start special services in St. Paul's Cathedral. He died at Ramsgate on 22 Nov. 1870, leaving a widow and several children. He was the author of numerous works, the most important of which are:

1. 'Gleanings from the Gospel Story,' 1859.
2. 'Hand-book for the Sick,' 4th edit. 1861.
3. 'Married Life, its Duties, Trials, and Joys,' 1861; new edit. 1867.
4. 'Saul of Tarsus; his Life and Lessons,'1864.
5. 'Bible Studies for Family Reading,' 1867.

[Life by Gordon Calthrop; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886; Allibone's Dict. of Engl. Lit.; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

A. F. P.