Henry Morley, 1822-1894

Henry Morley was born in Hatton Garden, London, on 15 September 1822. He was sent to a Moravian school in Germany and then to King's College London from 1838 to 1843. Morley's father was a member of the Apothecaries' Company and Morley was therefore destined for the medical profession. He did study medicine and in 1843 commenced practice as a doctor's assistant. Soon afterwards he bought a partnership but his partner turned out to be dishonest and left Morley with large debts to pay off. Morley then decided to change his plan of life and become a teacher. In 1848 he set up a school in Manchester which later moved to Liverpool. He had always loved literature and writing. He wrote a set of ironical papers which were printed in the 'Journal of Public Health' and later in the 'Examiner' which was edited by John Forster. These articles attracted much attention from eminent writers such as Dickens. In 1851 Morley was persuaded by Dickens to go to London and take part in the management of 'Household Words'. Morley began publishing his works. In 1861 he became the editor of the 'Examiner'. In 1857 he was appointed Lecturer in English Literature at the evening school of King's College London. From 1865 to 1889 he was Professor of English Language and Literature at University College London. In 1878 he was appointed Professor of English Language and Literature at Queen's College London. He was Principal of University Hall at Gordon Square London from 1882 to 1890. Morley then resigned his Professorships and retired to the Isle of Wight where he died on 14 May 1894.

From the guide to the Morley Letters, 1887-1893, (University College London)