Hutton, RICHARD HOLT

Hutton, RICHARD HOLT, son and grandson of Unitarian ministers, was born at Leeds in 1826, studied at University College and School, London, and under Martineau at the Manchester New College. He was for some time a Unitarian preacher, became principal of University Hall, and contributed to Unitarian periodicals. Under the influence of F. D. Maurice he joined the Church of England, edited the new quarterly National Review, and taught mathematics in Bedford College. About 1860 he and Mr Townsend became associated as joint-editors of the Spectator (founded in 1828), to which he gave the impress of his accomplished, resolute, devout mind. He revered Cardinal Newman; had constant regard to ethical and religious interests in his judgments of men and movements, whether literary, social, or political; and greatly strengthened opposition to Irish Home Rule. His Studies in Parliament (1866), Essays, Theological and Literary (1871; new ed. 1880), and Modern Guides of English Thought (1887) were republished from the periodicals; his monograph on Scott ('Men of Letters,' 1878) was his least effective publication. His last years were clouded by the melancholia of his second wife, who, like his first, belonged to the Liverpool Roscoe family. He died 11th September 1897.