1868 Henry Giles Unitarian Minister & Writer Bible

1868 Henry Giles
  Unitarian Minister and Writer
Autograph Letter Signed

Item: Autograph Letter Signed (ALS)

Autograph: Henry Giles (1809-1882)

Year: 1868 (October 4)

Biography: In early adulthood Giles settled on Unitarian beliefs following a Roman Catholic upbringing and short adherence to Protestant and Dissenting beliefs.  He studied in Belfast at the Royal Academic Institution, and later ministered in Scotland, Liverpool (England), and finally the United States.  His time in Liverpool was most noted for bringing fame to his oratory skills during the debate between Giles and two associates (James Martineau and John Hamilton Thom) with the Established Church of England.  Giles’ side defended Unitarian views, and the whole debate was titled Unitarianism Defended in its printed form.  From 1840, Giles lived the United States where his written works were popular as well as his speaking tours, though the speaking tours were cut short due to an attack of paralysis at a speaking engagement in 1865.  Other health problems included a shortened stature and curved spine, attributed to a fall in infancy, and a battle with addiction to medically-prescribed alcohol.  Giles married and had three children, one of whom tragically drowned in a sailing accident in early adulthood.  Following the blow to his health at the speaking engagement, however, Giles retired from public life, but continued to live until 1882, when he died in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Description: 1p on single sheet; written from Quincy, Massachusetts to a Mr. Crozier that he will give the requested lecture if his financial needs can be covered by giving a second lecture as well.  Signed as Henry Giles. 

Condition: Very Good

Size: 8vo

Accompanied with - Certificate of Authenticity from the Christian Heritage Museum