Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jackson, Thomas (1812-1886)

by Alexander Gordon

JACKSON, THOMAS (1812–1886), divine, son of Thomas Jackson [q. v.], Wesleyan minister, was born in 1812. He was educated at St. Saviour's school, Southwark, and St. Mary Hall, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. 27 Nov. 1834, M.A. 23 Nov. 1837. While an undergraduate he was the author of a jeu d'esprit, entitled ‘Uniomachia,’ in which John Sinclair, afterwards archdeacon of Middlesex, had a hand; it was printed at Oxford about 1833, with annotations by Robert Scott, afterwards dean of Rochester, and went through five editions. After holding a curacy at Brompton he became vicar of St. Peter's, Stepney. In 1844 he was chosen principal of the National Society's training college at Battersea, and in 1850 prebendary of Wedland in St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1850 also he was nominated to the bishopric of the projected see of Lyttelton, New Zealand, and accordingly went out to that colony. Difficulties, however, arose about the constitution of the new diocese, and he was never consecrated. His attitude was vindicated by Blomfield, always his firm friend, and Archbishop Sumner. Blomfield presented him in 1852 to the rectory of Stoke Newington. Here he rebuilt the parish church from the designs of Sir Gilbert Scott. He took great interest in the question of education, for some time editing the ‘English Journal of Education.’ Owing to ill-health Jackson made arrangements to vacate his living in June 1886, but died previously on 18 March. A mural monument was put up to his memory in Stoke Newington Church. He was married and left issue.

He published, besides single sermons and addresses (1843–56):

1. ‘A Compendium of Logic … with … Notes,’ &c., 1836, 12mo (an edition of Aldrich).
2. ‘Sermons,’ &c., 1859, 8vo; 1863, 8vo.
3. ‘Our Dumb Companions,’ &c., 2nd edition [1864], 4to; new edition [1869], 4to.
4. ‘Curiosities of the Pulpit,’ &c. [1868], 8vo; with new title, ‘Reminiscences and Anecdotes of Celebrated Preachers,’ &c. [1875], 8vo.
5. ‘The Narrative of the Fire of London, freely handled on the principles of Modern Rationalism, by P. Maritzburg,’ &c., 1869, 8vo (reprinted from ‘Good Words’).
6. ‘Our Dumb Neighbours,’ &c. [1870], 4to.
7. ‘Our Feathered Companions,’ &c. [1870], 8vo.
8. ‘Stories about Animals,’ &c. [1874], 4to.

[Times, 20 March 1886, p. 7; Cat. of Oxford Graduates, 1851, p. 358; Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1885.]

A. G.