Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Kenney, Arthur Henry

1442667Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 31 — Kenney, Arthur Henry1892Gordon Goodwin

KENNEY, ARTHUR HENRY (1776?–1855), controversialist, born in 1776 or 1777, was the youngest son of Edward Kenney, vicar-choral and prebendary of Cork, by Frances, daughter of Thomas Herbert, M.P., of Muckross, co. Kerry (Burke, Landed Gentry, 1868, p. 686; Cotton, Fasti Eccl. Hibern. i. (1847), 221, 234). In 1790 he entered the university of Dublin, was elected a foundation scholar in 1793, and graduated B.A. in 1795. In 1800 he proceeded M.A., and was elected to a junior fellowship, which he vacated in 1809 for the college living of Kilmacrenan, co. Donegal. He became B.D. in 1806, and D.D. in 1812 (Dublin Graduates, 1591–1868, p. 317). On 27 June 1812 he was instituted to the deanery of Achonry, which he resigned in May 1821 on becoming rector of St. Olave, Southwark (Cotton, iv. 105). He soon became popular among his parishioners, but his living was eventually sequestered on account of pecuniary difficulties, and he was obliged to reside abroad during the last ten years of his life. He died at Boulogne-sur-Mer on 27 Jan. 1855, aged 78. He was twice married, and had issue by both marriages. Under the initials of A. H. K., Kenney edited the fifth edition of Archbishop Magee's ‘Discourses on the Scriptural Doctrines of Atonement and Sacrifice,’ 3 vols. 8vo, London, 1832. He also wrote a memoir of Magee prefixed to the latter's ‘Works,’ 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1842.

Kenney's own writings are:

  1. ‘An Enquiry concerning some of the Doctrines maintained by the Church of Rome: in Answer to the Charge of Intolerance brought by Members of that Church against Members of the Church of England,’ 8vo, London, 1818.
  2. ‘Principles and Practices of Pretended Reformers in Church and State,’ 8vo, London, 1819.
  3. ‘Facts and Documents illustrative of the History of the Period immediately preceding the Accession of William III, …,’ 8vo, London, 1827.
  4. ‘The Dangerous Nature of Popish Power in these Countries, especially as illustrated from Awful Records of the Time of James the Second,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1839.
  5. ‘A Comment, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays of the Year, and on those for Holy Days immediately relating to Our Blessed Saviour,’ 2 vols. 12mo, London, 1842.

[Gent. Mag. new ser. xliv. 544–5; Taylor's Univ. of Dublin, pp. 445, 490; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

G. G.