Henry Handley Norris

Henry Handley Norris (1771–1850) was an English clergyman and theologian. He was the clerical leader of the High Church grouping later known as the Hackney Phalanx, that grew up around him and his friend Joshua Watson.

Life

The son of Henry Handley Norris of Hackney, by Grace, daughter of the Rev. T. Hest of Warton, Lancashire, he was born at Hackney on 14 January 1771. Educated at Newcome's School and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1797, M.A. 1806, he was admitted ad eundem at the University of Oxford on 23 January 1817.[1][2]

In 1806 a chapel of ease was built by subscription in Hackney parish, now the Church of St John-at-Hackney. Norris contributed to the cost, and in 1809, on becoming the perpetual curate of the chapel, made over to trustees a fee-farm rent of £21 a year as an endowment; he also erected at his own expense a minister's residence in Well Street. In 1831 the perpetual curacy became a rectory, and in this incumbency Norris remained till his death.[2]

The influence held by Norris in the religious world was far-reaching. He came to be known as the head of the high church party, and Hackney was regarded as the rival and counterpoise of the evangelical school or Clapham sect. It was rumoured, baselessly that during Lord Liverpool's long premiership every see that fell vacant was offered to Norris, with the request that if he would not take it himself, he would recommend some one else; so he had the nickname "the Bishop-maker". From 1793 to 1834, as a member of the committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, he largely ruled its proceedings; but in 1834 there was a revolt against his management, and he was left in a minority.[2]

Norris became a prebendary of Llandaff Cathedral on 22 November 1816, and a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral on 4 November 1825. Inheriting from his father an ample fortune, he was able to aid many students in their university and professional careers. Norris died at Grove Street, Hackney, on 4 December 1850.[2]

Works

Norris's best known work is A Practical Exposition of the Tendency and Proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in a Correspondence between the Rev. H. H. Norris and J. W. Freshfield, Esq., 1813; with an Appendix, 1814; 2nd edit. 1814. This correspondence arose from an attempt made by James William Freshfield (1801–1857) to form an Auxiliary Bible Society in Hackney, to which Norris strongly objected. A pamphlet war arose, and among the controversialists were Robert Aspland (1813) and William Dealtry (1815).[2]

His other writings were:[2]

Family

On 19 June 1805 Norris married Henrietta Catherine, daughter of David Powell, by whom he had a son, Henry, born on 28 February 1810, formerly of Swancliffe Park, Oxfordshire.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Norris, Henry Handley (NRS788HH)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6  George Clement Boase (1895). "Norris, Henry Handley". In Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography 41. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
Attribution