Channing, W. H. (William Henry), 1810-1884

William Henry Channing, Unitarian minister and reformer, was born in Boston, Mass. He was the editor of The western messenger, 1838-1839, spent time at Brook Farm, wrote a memoir of his uncle, William Ellery Channing (1848), and with Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Freeman Clarke, wrote a memoir of Margaret Fuller (1852). He later accepted positions as minister in several Unitarian churches in England.

From the description of W.H. Channing letter to Dear Sir, 1852 Mar. 29. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 61104065

Born into a prominent Boston family, William Henry Channing achieved success and notoriety as a minister, author, editor, and social reformer. His work as author and editor is generally of an intellectual and spiritual nature, often espousing Christian eclecticism. Channing was a fringe Transcendentalist, unofficial minister of Brook Farm, and was acquainted with many significant personages of his day. Energetic and inspirational, he was sometimes criticized for not following through on his plans.

From the description of William Henry Channing letter to O.B. Frothingham, 1882 Jan. 10. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 53150147

American clergyman.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : London, to Horace Greeley, 1869 Aug. 7. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270623156

Unitarian clergyman, reformer, New York City.

From the description of Diary and memorandum book, 1842 Apr. 26-1845 Jan. 1. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58661232

American author and reformer.

From the description of Letter to Elizabeth Oakes Smith [manuscript], 1852 March 27. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647871288

William Henry Channing (1810-1884) was the son of Francis Dana Channing and Susan Higginson Channing, and the nephew of the renowned Unitarian clergyman, William Ellery Channing. William Henry's father died shortly after his birth; he was raised by his mother and maternal grandfather, Stephen Higginson. After attending Boston Latin School and Harvard College (class of 1829), Channing entered Harvard Divinity School, where he began his successful career as a reform-minded minister. He married Julia Allen of Rondout, New York, in 1836; they had three children. In 1837, he founded a free church in New York City that served the poor. The church failed to thrive in the community and closed. He then moved his family west and served as a minister in the First Congregational Church of Cincinnati from 1838-1841. During this time, he was also an editor for the Western Messenger, a publication "devoted to religion, life, and literature." A skeptic of some Unitarian tenets, Channing left the Cincinnati church and lived with his mother in Brattleboro, Vermont, from 1841-1842. Over the next decade he focused his energies on writing about and preaching for social reform, and believed that religious institutions should guide these changes. He edited two journals: The Present (1843-1844) and The Spirit of the Age (1849-1850), while contributing to The Phalanx (1843-1845) and The Harbinger (1845-1849).

From 1852 to 1854, Channing worked as a minister of Unitarian society of Rochester, New York, before moving to England with his family. He served as a minister to the Unitarian churches at Renshaw Street (1854-1857) and Hope Street Chapels (1857-1861) in Liverpool; the New Oakfield Road Church in Clifton (1865-1866?); and the Free Christian Church and Notting Hill in Kensington (1867-1869?). While in England he continued to write, edit, and publish essays and monographs. He moved to Washington D.C. during the early years of the Civil War, but could not find permanent work and returned to England. Though he lectured in America after the Civil War, his permanent home remained in England. Channing died in London in 1884.

From the guide to the William H. Channing collection, Channing, William H. collection, 1829-1863, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)