Rev. John Benthall, a country vicar, introduction



		Willen People
		Rev. John Benthall
		A country Vicar
		John Benthall was Vicar of Willen from 1852 to his death in 1887 at the age of 81. He seems to have lived a quiet life in Willen. A devout and learned man of great compassion he spent his time tending to the needs of his parishioners and writing books on worship. He would appear to have been a typical Victorian country vicar.
		His early years were priviledged and comfortable. He proved himself to be a gifted scholar and, after university, returned to his old school to teach.

		However, his middle years were dogged by scandal and personal tragedy. It was only in his later years that he was able to find happiness in his personal life and regain his love of learning. The quote is copied from a handwritten draft of an article that John was preparing at the time of his death. This words may be among the last that he wrote.

Willen People