James Slade

Born on 2 May 1783 at Daventry, Northamptonshire, he was educated by his father and later studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating in 1804 as ninth wrangler. He became a fellow and tutor of the college, was ordained in the first years of the 19th century, and soon moved into parish work.

His best-known chapter began in 1817, when he became vicar of St Peter's, Bolton-le-Moors, a post he held for nearly forty years. Contemporary accounts describe him as a powerful preacher and a clear expounder of scripture. During his time in Bolton, many new churches were built, and he also served in other church roles including prebendary of Chester and rural dean.

He is especially remembered for pushing church reform and for taking education seriously at a time when it was often neglected for ordinary people. He supported Sunday schools on a large scale and in 1846 founded a Church of England educational institution in Bolton for boys, girls, and evening students. He died in 1860.