Society for Promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures

The Society for Promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures was a group founded in 1783 in London, with a definite but rather constrained plan for Biblical interpretation.^[1] While in practical terms it was mainly concerned with promoting Unitarian views, it was broadly based.

Founders

The founding group included John Disney, the initial Secretary,^[2] and John Jebb.^[3](ODNB). The membership was 30 to 40, of varied denominations. Among them were Dr. John Calder, Michael Dodson, Andrew Kippis, Theophilus Lindsey and Richard Price in London. Those in the provinces giving at least financial support included Joseph Priestley, Bishop Edmund Law, Joshua Toulmin, and William Turner.^[1] Robert Tyrwhitt joined in 1784.^[4]

Commentaries and Essays

The Society produced two volumes of Commentaries and Essays (1787), as its major achievement, before subsiding as inactive.^[5] Among the contributors were Michael Dodson^[6] and Henry Moore.^[7]

Notes

^ ^a ^b "Memoirs of the late Reverend Theophilus Lindsey, M. A., [microform] including a brief analysis of his work". 1820.
^ Ditchfield, G. M. "Disney, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7685. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Gascoigne, John. "Jebb, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/14680. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Tyrwhitt, Robert" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
^ "Chapter 17: Liberal Dissenters Unite to Form the Unitarian Church".
^ Mercer, M. J. "Dodson, Michael". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7759. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Mercer, M. J. "Moore, Henry". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/19117. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[Belsham-1] "Memoirs of the late Reverend Theophilus Lindsey, M. A., [microform] including a brief analysis of his work". 1820.

[2] Ditchfield, G. M. "Disney, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7685. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[3] Gascoigne, John. "Jebb, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/14680. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[4] "Tyrwhitt, Robert" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

[5] "Chapter 17: Liberal Dissenters Unite to Form the Unitarian Church".

[6] Mercer, M. J. "Dodson, Michael". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7759. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[7] Mercer, M. J. "Moore, Henry". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/19117. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

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