President of the MNC Conference in 1886, the son of a MNC minister whose health force him to retire in 1825. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 20 January 1835, his studious inclinations were strengthened by attendance at Newcastle's leading school. His outstandingly successful ministry was acknowledged by his election as UM President in 1908. He was well-known beyond Methodism and was President of the National Free Church Council in 1902. He represented the MNC at Gladstone's funeral in 1898. He wrote ten books and was one of the editors of the New History of Methodism (1909). He died in Newcastle on 7 March 1915.