Jabez Bunting

Jabez Bunting (1779-1858) was the son of a Manchester tailor. He was originally trained to be a doctor. In 1794, however, he underwent a Methodist conversion and by 1799 had become a Wesleyan itinerant preacher. After a couple of short ministries, he came to London in 1803 and began working with foreign missions and publishing for the Methodists. He would remain a key player in the Wesleyan hierarchy thereafter, helping to form the Methodist Missionary Society in 1813. He was keen on administration, which eventually led to his decline in preaching. He served as President of the Methodist Conference in 1820, 1828, 1836, and 1844, as well as Conference Secretary on many occasions.