Author, Religious Leader.  Born in London, England in the family of an architect, he was educated , at King’s College, where he experienced the influence of John Frederick Denison Maurice, one of the principal theologians of his time.  The sudden death of his father made it imperative that he enter a profession in which he would earn a living immediately, so he became ordained into the ministry of the Church of England in 1860.  He became a Reader at the Temple Church London (the Lawyers’ Church), a post which he held for 27 years, while also holding a canonry in Bristol Cathedral, to which he had been appointed in 1887. Although well known as a preacher in his time, he is chiefly known today for his literary works, which include the memoirs of poet and humorist Thomas Hood, and of poet George Crabbe, and a biography of essayist Charles Lamb. (bio by: julia&keld)