George Butler (headmaster)

George Butler (1774–1853) 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.^[1] 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.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.