Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Manning, John Edmondson
MANNING, JOHN EDMONDSON (1848–1910), unitarian divine, son of John Manning, schoolmaster in Liverpool, was born there on 22 March 1848. His preparation for the ministry was largely due to his brother-in-law, George Beaumont, unitarian minister at Gateacre. He studied at Queen's College Liverpool (1866–8), Manchester New College, London (1868–73), and at Leipzig (1875–6); he graduated B.A. at London University in 1872; was Hibbert scholar in 1873, and proceeded M.A. in 1876. His settlements in the ministry were Swansea (1876–89) and Upper Chapel, Sheffield (1889–1902). While at Swansea he was (1878-88) visitor and examiner in Hebrew and Greek to the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. Of the Unitarian Home Missionary College, Manchester, he was visitor (1892–4), and from 1894 till his death tutor in Old Testament, Hebrew, and philosophy. His ministries had been greatly successful, and his sound learning gave distinction to his academic career.
He died (of the effects of pleurisy, contracted on a holiday in Italy) on 30 April 1910, at his residence, Harper Hill, Sale, Manchester. He was buried in the Dan-y-Graig cemetery, Swansea. He married in 1879 Emma, youngest daughter of George Browne Brock, J.P. (formerly minister at Swansea), who survived him with three daughters.
He published, besides separate sermons and tracts:
- 'A History of Upper Chapel, Sheffield,' Sheffield, 1900 (one of the best congregational histories).
- 'Addresses at the Unitarian Home Missionary College,' Manchester, 1903 (six addresses biennially from 1895, on topics of his chair, also separately issued).
- 'Thomas a Kempis, and the "De Imitatione Christi,"' Manchester, 1907 (a valuable excursus).
[Christian Life, 7 May 1910 (memoir by present writer); Manning's Hist. Upper Chapel, 1900.]