author

Henry Giles

1809–1882

An Irish-born preacher and lecturer, this 19th-century writer became known for energetic talks on literature, religion, and culture. After moving to the United States, he built a wide audience with essays and books that included a well-regarded study of Shakespeare.

1 Audiobook

Unitarianism Defended

Unitarianism Defended

by Henry Giles, James Martineau, John Hamilton Thom

About the author

Born in County Wexford on November 1, 1809, Henry Giles was raised in a Roman Catholic family but changed his religious views several times before becoming a Unitarian minister. He studied for a time at the Royal Academical Institution of Belfast and later preached in Scotland and Liverpool, where he earned notice for his strong speaking style.

In 1840 he moved to the United States, where he lectured widely and wrote on literature, religion, and criticism. He became especially known for Human Life in Shakespeare, and also published works such as Lectures and Essays and Christian Thoughts on Life.

Giles married Louise Lord of Maine in 1849, and they had three children. Health problems and a paralytic attack around 1865 brought his public career to an early close, and he died in Quincy, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1882.