James Bennett (minister)

James Bennett D.D. (22 May 1774 – 4 December 1862) was an English congregational minister and college principal.

Bennett was born in London 22 May 1774, and was educated there and at Gosport, where he was prepared for the congregational ministry David Bogue. In 1797 he was ordained at Romsey, where he remained till 1813. There he became a supporter of the London Missionary Society, and supported Robert and James Haldane in some of their evangelistic tours.

In 1813, Bennett moved to Rotherham, where he was both tutor in Rotherham College and pastor of the church. In 1828 he was transferred to London, where, first in Silver Street and then in Falcon Square, he exercised his ministry till 1860, when he resigned. Among his congregation was David Livingstone, while in London as a medical student.

Bennett died in London, 4 December 1862, at the age of 88. He was noted for the defence of Christianity against the unbelievers of the day, particularly Robert Taylor, a popular lecturer; the promotion of Christian missions, as one of the secretaries of the London Missionary Society; and the advancement of the Congregational Union.

Bennett's main works were:

James Risdon Bennett was his eldest son. His other children were John (1811), Thomas (1813), Joseph (1814) and Sarah Comley (1815)

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1885). "". Dictionary of National Biography. 4. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 

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