Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Whitaker, Edward William

by Thompson Cooper

WHITAKER, EDWARD WILLIAM (1752–1818), divine, historian, and philanthropist, son of William Whitaker of London, serjeant-at-law, born in 1752, was matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 2 April 1773, and graduated B.A. 4 Feb. 1777. He was instituted to the rectory of St. John's, Clerkenwell, in 1778, afterwards to the rectory of St. Mildred, Bread Street, London, and from 1783 until his death he held the rectory of St. Mary-de-Castro with that of All Saints, Canterbury. He was the founder of the Refuge for the Destitute. For many years he resided at Egham, Surrey, where he kept a school. He died at Breadstreet Hill, London, on 14 Oct. 1818.

His numerous works include:

1. 'Four Dialogues on the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity, taught throughout the Scriptures, and on other points which have of late been subjects of … discussion,' Canterbury, 1786, 8vo.
2. 'Sermons on Education,' London, 1788, 8vo.
3. 'A Letter to the People of the Jews,' London, 1788, 8vo.
4. 'A General and Connected View of the Prophecies relating to the times of the Gentiles, delivered by our blessed Saviour, the Prophet David, and the Apostles Paul and John; with a brief account of their accomplishment to the present age,' Egham, 1795, 12mo. An enlarged edition was published under the title of 'A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John,' London, 1802, 8vo.
5. 'Family Sermons,' 2nd edit. London, 1801-2, 3 vols. 8vo.
6. 'The Manual of Prophecy,' Egham, 1808, 12mo. 7. 'An Abridgment of Universal History,' London, 1817, 4 vols. 4to.

[Biogr. Dict. of Living Authors, 1816, p. 382; Darling's Cycl. Bibl. pp. 3180, 3181; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886; Gent. Mag. 1818, ii. 474; Pinks's Clerkenwell, p. 229; Watt's Bibl. Brit.]

T. C.