Charles Wheatly

Charles Wheatly (1686–1742) was an English clergyman, known for writings on the Book of Common Prayer.

Life

He was born on 6 February 1686, the son of John Wheatly, a tradesman of London. His mother, whose maiden name was White, was a descendant of Ralph White, brother of Sir Thomas White. Charles entered Merchant Taylors' School on 9 January 1699, and matriculated at St John's College, Oxford, on 28 March 1705. He was elected a Fellow in 1707, and graduated B.A. on 23 January 1710, and M.A. on 28 March 1713, resigning his fellowship in the same year.

On 24 May 1717 he was chosen lecturer of St Mildred-in-the-Poultry, and in 1725 lecturer of St Swithin, Londonstone. On 23 March 1726 he was instituted vicar of Brent Pelham, and on 1 April 1726 vicar of Furneaux Pelham in Hertfordshire. He died at Furneaux Pelham on 13 May 1742, and was buried in the parish church.

Works

His major work is The Church of England Man's Companion, or a Rational Illustration of the Harmony ... and Usefulness of the Book of Common Prayer, which first appeared in 1710 (Oxford), and went through many editions, one being that published at Cambridge in 1858 by George Elwes Corrie . Wheatly was also the author of:

• ‘Bidding of Prayers before Sermon no mark of Disaffection to the present Government,’ London, 1718; new edit. London, 1845.
• ‘The Nicene and Athanasian Creeds ... explained and confirmed by the Holy Scriptures,’ London, 1738.
• ‘Fifty Sermons on Several Subjects, and Occasions,’ ed. John Berriman, London, 1753.

Family

He was twice married: first, on 16 August 1713, to Maria (died 10 December 1724), daughter of William Findall of the Clarendon Press; secondly, to Mary, daughter of Daniel Fogg, rector of All Hallows Staining. His second wife survived him.

References

•  "Wheatly, Charles". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Wheatly, Charles". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.