Milner, JOSEPH

Milner, JOSEPH, an ecclesiastical historian, was born near Leeds in 1744. He studied at Catharine Hall, Cambridge, and afterwards became well known as head-master of Hull grammar-school. He was vicar of North Ferriby, 7 miles from Hull, and lecturer in the principal church of the town, and in 1797 became vicar of Holy Trinity Church. He died on 15th November of the same year. Milner's principal work is his History of the Church of Christ, of which he lived to complete three volumes, reaching to the 13th century; a fourth volume coming down to the 16th century, was edited from his MSS. by his younger brother, Dr Isaac Milner, dean of Carlisle, who also published a complete edition of his brother's works in 8 vols. 1810. The principles on which the history is written are of the narrowest kind; the scholarship, literary style, and critical insight are alike poor.