Henry Grattan Guinness

Henry Grattan Guinness
preacher, evangelist, and author
Born	11 August 1835 Kingstown in Taney, Dublin, Ireland
Died	21 June 1910
Spouse(s)	Fanny Emma (nee Fitzgerald) 1860-1898 Grace Alexandra R (nee Hurditch) 1903-his death

Henry (Harry) Grattan Guinness D.D. (11 August 1835 – 21 June 1910) was an Irish Protestant Christian preacher, evangelist and author. He was the great evangelist of the Evangelical awakening and preached during the Ulster Revival of 1859 which drew thousands to hear him. He was responsible for training and sending hundreds of "faith missionaries" all over the world.

Guinness was born in Montpelier House, Kingstown in Taney, Dublin, Ireland. He was homeschooled by his parents and later at Cheltenham and Exeter under Rev. Dr. Mills and Rev. C. Worthy. He was the grandson of Arthur Guinness and Olivia Whitmore. His father was John Grattan Guinness (1783–1850), Arthur's youngest son, who was an officer in the Madras Army of the East India Company. His mother was Jane Lucretia D'Esterre, whose first husband Captain John Norcot D'Esterre had been killed in a duel in 1815 by Daniel O'Connell, who remorsefully paid her an annuity.

In 1853 at 17 years old, and somewhat backslidden in his faith, Guinness went to sea. During that year he visited the West Indies, Mexico, Texas, and Caribbean Sea area. He returned to England in 1853. In 1854 he was "sick unto death" when starting for the East Indies. So returning home, he repented and resolved to serve the Master.

In January 1856 Guinness entered New College in London under a tutor named Dr. Harris. Possessed of extraordinary talent; his gift was that he spoke the language of the people, not the scholar. He preached much while still a student and in 1857 he was ordained an evangelist and began preaching to large audiences, as well as in the open air. Visited many cities and towns in the British Isles. During this time it is claimed that he was persecuted by Roman Catholics.

From 1858-1860 he was in Canada and had a part in A. B. Simpson's conversion. He married Fanny Emma Fitzgerald October 2, 1860. She became known in her writings simply as Mrs. H. Grattan Guinness (1831-1898). They had one child, a son named Harry, who was born Oct 2, 1861 in Toronto, Canada.