Benjamin Robinson
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Robinson an English Presbyterian church minister, born at Derby
in 1666, was a pupil of Samuel Ogden (1626–1697). He came to be a respected theologian and had his views published. He started a school in Findern
in south Derbyshire
.
, Shropshire
. He began life as chaplain and tutor in the family of Sir John Gell
at Hopton
, Derbyshire. He was subsequently chaplain at Normanton
to Samuel Saunders, upon whose death he married and settled as Presbyterian minister of Findern
, Derbyshire, being ordained on 10 October 1688.
In 1693 he opened a school at Findern, and for so doing was cited into the bishop's court. Knowing William Lloyd, then bishop of Coventry
and Lichfield
, he went to remonstrate with him. Lloyd stayed the prosecution, and discussed nonconformity with Robinson till two o'clock in the morning ; they afterwards corresponded. John Howe recommended him to a congregation at Hungerford
, Berkshire, to which he removed from Findern in 1693. Here also, in 1696, he set up a school which developed into an academy for training ministers ; students were sent to him by the Presbyterian fund. It was his aim to inspire them with proper sentiments and dispositions to allure them to habits of study.
Gilbert Burnet
, Bishop of Salisbury
, being at Hungerford on a visitation, sent for Robinson, who defended his course and gained Burnet's friendship. Subsequently he and Edmund Calamy
had several interviews with Burnet in 1702, when nonconformist matters were before parliament. It was said the "he could do as much in an hour as another man could in a day".
In 1700 he succeeded Woodhouse, his former tutor, as Presbyterian minister at Little St. Helen's, Bishopsgate Street in the City of London. Here he enjoyed great popularity as a preacher, having much natural eloquence, and a gift of rapid composition with a strong pen. In 1705 he succeeded George Hammond as one of the Salters' Hall lecturers, and made this his first business when declining health compelled him to limit his work.
He died on 30 April 1724, and was buried in Bunhill Fields
. He left a widow, Anne, and several children.
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
in 1666, was a pupil of Samuel Ogden (1626–1697). He came to be a respected theologian and had his views published. He started a school in Findern
Findern
Findern is a village in south Derbyshire. Although a railway runs through it, there is no station, the nearest stations are Willington, Pear Tree and Derby...
in south Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
.
Life
Benjamin was educated for the ministry by John Woodhouse at Sheriff HalesSheriff Hales
Sheriffhales is a scattered village in Shropshire, England, north-east of Telford, north of Shifnal and south of Newport....
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
. He began life as chaplain and tutor in the family of Sir John Gell
John Gell
John Gell may refer to:*Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet , Parliamentarian in the English Civil War*Sir John Gell, 2nd Baronet , lead mining magnate and MP for Derbyshire...
at Hopton
Hopton
There are a number of places in England known as Hopton:*Hopton, Derbyshire*Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk*Hopton Cangeford, Shropshire*Hopton Castle, Shropshire*Hopton Heath, Shropshire*Hopton Wafers, Shropshire*Hopton, Staffordshire*Hopton, Suffolk...
, Derbyshire. He was subsequently chaplain at Normanton
Normanton
Normanton is the name of several places:In England:*Normanton, Derbyshire*Normanton, Leicestershire*Normanton, Lincolnshire*Normanton, Nottinghamshire*Normanton, Rutland*Normanton, West Yorkshire**Normanton...
to Samuel Saunders, upon whose death he married and settled as Presbyterian minister of Findern
Findern
Findern is a village in south Derbyshire. Although a railway runs through it, there is no station, the nearest stations are Willington, Pear Tree and Derby...
, Derbyshire, being ordained on 10 October 1688.
In 1693 he opened a school at Findern, and for so doing was cited into the bishop's court. Knowing William Lloyd, then bishop of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
, he went to remonstrate with him. Lloyd stayed the prosecution, and discussed nonconformity with Robinson till two o'clock in the morning ; they afterwards corresponded. John Howe recommended him to a congregation at Hungerford
Hungerford
Hungerford is a market town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, 9 miles west of Newbury. It covers an area of and, according to the 2001 census, has a population of 5,559 .- Geography :...
, Berkshire, to which he removed from Findern in 1693. Here also, in 1696, he set up a school which developed into an academy for training ministers ; students were sent to him by the Presbyterian fund. It was his aim to inspire them with proper sentiments and dispositions to allure them to habits of study.
Gilbert Burnet
Gilbert Burnet
Gilbert Burnet was a Scottish theologian and historian, and Bishop of Salisbury. He was fluent in Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Burnet was respected as a cleric, a preacher, and an academic, as well as a writer and historian...
, Bishop of Salisbury
Bishop of Salisbury
The Bishop of Salisbury is the ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of Salisbury in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers much of the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset...
, being at Hungerford on a visitation, sent for Robinson, who defended his course and gained Burnet's friendship. Subsequently he and Edmund Calamy
Edmund Calamy (historian)
Edmund Calamy was an English Nonconformist churchman, divine and historian.-Life:A grandson of Edmund Calamy the Elder, he was born in the City of London, in the parish of St Mary Aldermanbury. He was sent to various schools, including Merchant Taylors', and in 1688 proceeded to the university of...
had several interviews with Burnet in 1702, when nonconformist matters were before parliament. It was said the "he could do as much in an hour as another man could in a day".
In 1700 he succeeded Woodhouse, his former tutor, as Presbyterian minister at Little St. Helen's, Bishopsgate Street in the City of London. Here he enjoyed great popularity as a preacher, having much natural eloquence, and a gift of rapid composition with a strong pen. In 1705 he succeeded George Hammond as one of the Salters' Hall lecturers, and made this his first business when declining health compelled him to limit his work.
He died on 30 April 1724, and was buried in Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields is a cemetery in the London Borough of Islington, north of the City of London, and managed by the City of London Corporation. It is about 4 hectares in extent, although historically was much larger....
. He left a widow, Anne, and several children.
Major works
- A Plea for ... Mr. Baxter in answer to Mr. Lobb,' &c., 1697, 8vo defends Baxter's view of the Atonement).
- A Review of the Case of Liturgies,' &c., 1710, 8vo.
- A Letter ... in defence of the Review,' &c., 1710, 8vo (both in reply to Thomas Bennet, D.D.
- ' The Question stated, and the Scripture Evidence of the Trinity proposed,' 1719, 4to, being the second part of ' The Doctrine of the Ever Blessed Trinity stated and defended ... by four subscribing ministers.'