William Winterbotham

Rev. William Winterbotham (December 15, 1763 - March 31, 1829) was a British Baptist minister and a political prisoner. He wrote some books introducing general information about China and the United States.

Biography

William Winterbotham was born in Little Minories, Aldgate, London on 15 December 1763. He is a son of John Winterbotham and Miss Elizabeth Hyett.Susan J. Mills, "Winterbotham, William (1763–1829)", "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", Oxford University Press, 2004 (http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29771, accessed 28 January 2007).]

Because he expressed too liberal views in his sermons, Winterbotham was put into jail in Newgate Prison in 1793 [ "An Historical, Geographical, Commercial, and Philosophical View of the Americas" "Bulletin of the Business Historical Society", Vol.1, No.7, (May - June, 1927), pp.6-7. ] and released in 1797 ] .

When he was in prison, he wrote "An Historical, Geographical and Philosophical View of the Chinese Empire" (1795), ] which provides general information about China, and "An Historical, Geographical, Commericial, and Philosophical View of the American United States" (4 vols, London, 1799) [B.B. Ashcom, "A Note on George Washington and Lexicographers", "American Speech", Vol.35, No.2, (May, 1960), pp.131-135, at p.134. ] .

In 26th November 1797, he married Mary Brend and had children. (4 sons and 3 daughters) and finally died in 31st March 1829 in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.john.winterbotham.name/Pedigree/portrait.htm Portrait of Winterbotham]
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