GEORGE

See also:

• GEORGE DAWSON (1821-1876)
• DAWSON, SIR JOHN WILLIAM (1820-1899)

DAWSON (1821-1876)  , English nonconformist divine, was born in London on the 24th of February 1821, and was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, and at the university of Glasgow . In 1843 he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church at Rickmansworth, and in 1844 a similar charge at Mount Zion, Birmingham, where he attracted large congregations by his eloquence and his unconventional views . Desiring freedom from any definite creed, he left the Baptist church and became minister of the " Church of the Saviour," a building erected for him by his supporters . Here he exercised a stimulating and varied ministry for nearly thirty years, gathering round him a congregation of all types and especially of such as found the dogmas of the age distasteful . He had much sympathy with the Unitarian position, but was not himself a Unitarian . Indeed he had no fixed standpoint, and discussed truths and principles from various aspects . His sermons, though not particularly speculative, were unconventional and quickening . He was the friend of Carlyle and Emerson, and did much to popularize their teachings, his influence being conspicuous, especially in his demand for a high ethical standard in everyday life and his insistence on the Christianization of citizenship . He was warmly supported by Dr R . W . Dale, and by J . T .

Bunce, editor of The Birmingham Daily

Post . Both Dawson and Dale were disqualified as ministers from seats on the town council, but both served on the Birmingham school board . Dawson also lectured on English literature at the Midland Institute and helped to found the Shakespeare Memorial library in Birmingham . He died suddenly at King's Norton on the 3oth of November 1876 . Four volumes of Sermons, two of Prayers and two of Biographical Lectures were published after his death . See Life by H . W . Crosskey (1876) and an article by R . W . Dale in The Nineteenth Century (August 1897) .