Frend, William, 1757-1841 (unitarian reformer and scientific writer)
Dates
- Existence: 1757 - 1841
Biography
William Frend (1757-1841) was born on 22 Nov. 1757 at Canterbury. He was educated at the King's School in Canterbury until 1771, before becoming a a minor pensioner at Christ's College, Cambridge, in 1775 (B.A., 1780). He transferred to Jesus College in 1780, and became a fellow in 1781. In 1780 he became a deacon, and in 1783 he was presented to the living of Madingley, near Cambridge. Frend was converted to unitarianism during 1787, and in 1793 provoked controversy by writing a tract entitled 'Peace and Union recommended to the Associated Bodies of Republicans and Anti-republicans', in which he attacked parts of the liturgy of the Church of England. Although he was banished from the university as a consequence, he remained a member of his college and of the university senate. Frend moved to London, carried out teaching and writing, and helped to establish the Rock Life Assurance Company. He died on 21 Feb. 1841.