George Butler (headmaster)
Encyclopedia
George Butler was an English schoolmaster and divine, headmaster of Harrow School
from 1805 to 1829.
Son of Weeden Butler (1742–1823), George Butler was educated at the Chelsea
school where his father taught and proceeded to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
, where he graduated senior wrangler in 1794. He became a fellow of Sidney Sussex, first as mathematical
lecturer, and afterwards as classical
tutor. He was elected a public examiner of the university in 1804, and in the following year was one of the select preachers. As head master of Harrow
(1805–1829) his all-round knowledge, his tact and his skill as an athlete
rendered his administration successful and popular. On his retirement he settled down at Gayton, Northamptonshire
, a living
which had been presented to him by his college in 1814. In 1836 he became chancellor
of the diocese of Peterborough, and in 1842 was appointed dean
of Peterborough
. His few publications include some notes of Harrow, entitled Harrow, a Selection of Lists of the School between 1770 and 1828 (Peterborough, 1849).
His eldest son, also named George Butler (1819–1890), was principal of Liverpool College (1866–1882) and canon of Winchester
. In 1852 he married Josephine Elizabeth, daughter of John Grey of Dilston. Josephine Butler
was a noted campaigner for the welfare of prostitutes.
His youngest son was the Rev. Dr Henry Montagu Butler
, who also became head master of Harrow.
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
from 1805 to 1829.
Son of Weeden Butler (1742–1823), George Butler was educated at the Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
school where his father taught and proceeded to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Sidney Sussex College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in England.The college was founded in 1596 and named after its foundress, Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex. It was from its inception an avowedly Puritan foundation: some good and godlie moniment for the mainteynance...
, where he graduated senior wrangler in 1794. He became a fellow of Sidney Sussex, first as mathematical
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
lecturer, and afterwards as classical
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
tutor. He was elected a public examiner of the university in 1804, and in the following year was one of the select preachers. As head master of Harrow
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
(1805–1829) his all-round knowledge, his tact and his skill as an athlete
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
rendered his administration successful and popular. On his retirement he settled down at Gayton, Northamptonshire
Gayton, Northamptonshire
Gayton is a rural village from Northampton town centre in South Northamptonshire. It is situated on a hill close to the larger villages of Bugbrooke, Milton Malsor and Blisworth, with a linked public footpath network. -History:...
, a living
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
which had been presented to him by his college in 1814. In 1836 he became chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the diocese of Peterborough, and in 1842 was appointed dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew – also known as Saint Peter's Cathedral in the United Kingdom – is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the...
. His few publications include some notes of Harrow, entitled Harrow, a Selection of Lists of the School between 1770 and 1828 (Peterborough, 1849).
His eldest son, also named George Butler (1819–1890), was principal of Liverpool College (1866–1882) and canon of Winchester
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
. In 1852 he married Josephine Elizabeth, daughter of John Grey of Dilston. Josephine Butler
Josephine Butler
Josephine Elizabeth Butler was a Victorian era British feminist who was especially concerned with the welfare of prostitutes...
was a noted campaigner for the welfare of prostitutes.
His youngest son was the Rev. Dr Henry Montagu Butler
Henry Montagu Butler
Henry Montagu Butler was an English academic.He was the son of a previous Headmaster of Harrow School, George Butler and his wife Sarah Maria née Gray. Educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, he married Georgina Elliot in 1861...
, who also became head master of Harrow.