Jonathan Crowther

Jonathan Crowther (1794-1856) was the son of a prominent Methodist minister, Crowther was born in Cornwall and educated at Kingswood School. After completing his studies at Woodhouse Grove, Crowther was ordained and became a headmaster at Woodhouse (1814-1816) and at Kingswood (1823-1825). He then served as a circuit preacher and a follower of Jabez Bunting. From 1837 to 1842 he served as superintendent of the Methodist mission in India (Madras). He returned to England and in 1849 was appointed classical tutor of the Northern branch of the Theological Institution at Manchester and Didsbury. Though loyal to the Methodist Conference, Crowther was nevertheless a supporter of women’s preaching, allowing Sarah Boyce and Martha Gregson to preach in Methodist chapels in Birmingham during his tenure on that circuit (1829-1831). Among his published works are A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. D. McAllum, M.D.: Preached in New-Street Chapel, York, July 23, 1827 (York, 1827); A Defence of the Wesleyan Theological Institution (1834); and Sermons (1839). For Crowther, see Biographical Index, Methodist Archives, Joh Rylands University Library of Manchester.