Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Dimock, Nathaniel
DIMOCK, NATHANIEL (1825–1909), theologian, born at Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, on 8 July 1825, was son of John Dimock of Bridgeend, Stonehouse, and afterwards of Rylands, Randwick, Gloucestershire, by his wife Emma Rook, daughter of Dr. James Parkinson of Hoxton. Educated at two private schools, he matriculated from St. John's College, Oxford, on 31 May 1843, and in 1846 obtained a fourth class in the final classical school, graduating B.A. in 1847, and proceeding M.A. in 1850. He was ordained deacon in 1848, and priest in 1850. From 1848 to 1872 he was curate of East Mailing, Kent. There he devoted himself to patristic and mediaeval theology, began a series of ' Papers on the Doctrine of the English Church, and wrote, under the pseudonym of 'An English Presbyter,' numerous books and pamphlets, which attracted notice. In 1872 Dimock was appointed to the vicarage of Wymynswold, Kent, and in 1876 to St. Paul's, Maidstone. In 1887 he resigned his benefice owing to ill-health, and resided abroad, acting as English chaplain at San Remo (1887-8). Subsequently he lived at Eastbourne, and from 1896 until death at Redhill, Surrey.
In 1900 Dimock joined Bishop Creighton's 'Round Table Conference' at Fulham Palace, on the doctrine and ritual of the Holy Communion, and the deliberations largely turned on a statement of his views, which by request he printed for the use of the conference. He afterwards published 'Notes on the Round Table Conference.' He died at Ms residence, Hemstede, Redhill, on 3 March 1909, and was buried at Reigate. His valuable library was sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge on 26 May 1909. Dimock married at East Mailing, on 31 March 1853, Georgiana, daughter of John Alfred Wigan of Clare House, Kent, and sister of Sir Frederick Wigan, first baronet. His wife died shortly after marriage, on 14 July 1853.
A profound student of sacramental questions from the evangelical standpoint, Dimock had an unrivalled knowledge of liturgiology. His style was not attractive, and his pages are often too heavily weighted with footnotes and references, but his erudition was profound, his judgment sound, and his attitude to opponents absolutely fair. His most important works are: 1. 'Conversion, Six Plain Sermons,' 1855. 2. 'A Word for Warning and Defence of the Church of England against Ritualism and Romanism,' 1868. 3. 'The Real Objective Presence: Questions sugested by the Judgment of Sir Robert Phillimore,' 1870. 4. 'The Doctrine of the Sacraments in relation to the Doctrine of Grace,' 1871; new edit. 1908. 5. 'Essays on the Principles of the Reformation,' 1872. 6. 'The Romish Mass and the English Church,' 1874. 7. 'Eucharistic Worship in the Church of England,' 1876. 8. 'The Eucharist considered in its Sacrificial Aspect,' 1884. 9. 'The Apostolic Fathers and the Christian Ministry,' 1887. 10. 'Questions suggested by so much of the Lambeth Judgment as deals with the North Side Rubric,' parts i. and ii., 1891. 11. 'Curiosities of Patristic and Mediaeval Literature,' parts i., ii., and iii., 1891, 1892, 1895. 12. 'The Doctrine of the Death of Christ,' 1890; 2nd edit. 1903. 13. 'Dangerous Deceits,' 1895. 14. 'Missarum Sacrificia,' 1896. 15. 'Vox Liturgiæ Anglicanæ,' 1897. 16. 'The Christian Doctrine of Sacerdotism,' 2 edits. 1897. 17. 'The Crisis in the Church of England,' 1899. 18. 'Light from History on Christian Ritual,' 1900. 19. 'The Bennett Judgment cleared from Misconception,' 1900. 20. 'The History of the Book of Common Prayer in its bearing on present Eucharistic Controversies.' A 'Memorial Edition' of his chief works was published in 1910-11.
[The Times, 4 March 1909; Record, 5 March 1909; Guardian, 10 March 1909; English Churchman, 11 March 1909; Church Family Newspaper, 12 March 1909; Foster's Alumni Oxonienses; Crockford's Clerical Directory; Gloucestershire Notes and Queries, v. 245; Phillimore's County Pedigrees, Nottinghamshire, i. 65-71; private information, and personal knowledge.]