Born at Binbrook Hall, Lincs, the son of a farmer, he had little education, but took to reading, especially science and natural history. He too became a farmer at Binbrook. He travelled widely and his thirst for learning took him to the Bodleian Library, Oxford. He became a local preacher and was known as a keen evangelical and a zealous Bible expositor. He was a leading advocate of Wesleyan reform. He married into the Riggall family. Under the Education Act of 1870 he founded a free Methodist School. He served as an overseer of the poor and a member of the Board of Guardians. He gave up farming in 1892 and retired to Hogsthorpe.

Entry written by: WL
Category: Person
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