Rectors

Revd John Butler was the Rector of St Marylebone in 1788. He was born in Hamburg in 1717. He was for a while a tutor in the family of a banker, Mr. Child. Despite not attending university, he was awarded the degree of LL.D. from the University of Cambridge. His first wife was a school-mistress; his second a wealthy heiress, which improved his social standing. He was ordained and became a popular preacher. He held various appointments, including chaplain to the Princess Dowager of Wales, prebendary of Winchester, and minister of Great Yarmouth.

Despite his establishment connections, he published a pamphlet in 1762 attacking the Prime Minister, the Earl of Bute. His fortunes changed, however, and he was appointed a King’s Chaplain, and later Archdeacon of Surrey. He later supported Lord North, the Prime Minister, in the conduct of the American Revolution. He was consequently consecrated Bishop of Oxford. Having adopted Tory principles, he preached before the House of Lords on the martyrdom of King Charles I. He was later translated to Hereford. He died in 1802, aged 85, leaving no children.