John Trusler

Revd John Trusler (1735–1820) was an eccentric English divine, literary compiler, and medical empiric.

Trusler was born in Hanover Square, London, England, in July 1735. His father was the proprietor of the public tea gardens at Marylebone. In his tenth year, he was sent to Westminster School, and at the age of fifteen he was transferred to Mr Fountaine's fashionable seminary at Marylebone. Next he proceeded to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in 1757. On his return home he translated from the Italian several burlettas and adapted them to the English stage. One of these, he says, was 'La Serva Padrona,' or the 'Servant-Mistress,' of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, performed in Marylebone Gardens in 1757; but it seems that the real translator was Stephen Storace.

Trusler took holy orders, becoming a priest in 1759. He was curate successively of Enford, Wiltshire, of Ware, Hertfordshire, at Hertford, at the Hythe church, Colchester, of Ockley, Surrey, and of St Clement Danes in the Strand, London. In 1761, Dr Bruce, the king's chaplain at Somerset House, employed him as his assistant and procured for him the chaplaincy to the Poultry-Compter. He also held a lectureship in the city. At this period he took a house at Rotherhithe.