Ware, William, 1797-1852

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1797
Death 1852

Biographical notes:

William Ware (1797-1852), writer, editor and Unitarian minister, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, the son of Mary Clark and Henry Ware, Sr. He graduated from Harvard in 1816, and then studied theology for three years with his father, who had been appointed Hollis Professor of Divinity in 1805. William Ware was ordained in 1821, and married Mary Waterhouse in 1823, and they had seven children. He was a minister in the First Unitarian Society in New York from 1821 until 1836, when he resigned due to health reasons and a desire to give himself to full-time writing. In 1838, he bought the Christian Examiner, and served as its editor for six years. He held several pastoral positions briefly in the Boston area, (including Waltham, 1837-1838 and West Cambridge, 1844-1845) but did not return to the ministry again for any extended period of time. He wrote The Antiquity and Revival of Unitarian Christianity (1831) and three novels set in early Christian and biblical times: Zenobia, Probus, and Julian. His later works included the American Unitarian Biography (1851). After a series of epileptic attacks, he died in Cambridge, Massachusetts . (from American National Biography, volume 22, pages 665-666).

From the guide to the Papers, 1813-1852., (Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School)

William Ware was an author and minister, often seen as a predecessor to the Transcendentalists. Born in to a distinguished family in Hingham, Massachusetts, he was educated at Harvard, and attended Harvard Divinity School, supporting himself by teaching; after being ordained he became the first Unitarian minister in New York City. He wrote miscellaneous pieces, but is best remembered for three historical novels, set in classical or Biblical times; he also owned and edited The Christian Examiner for several years. Health considerations led him to change careers several times, and he became a popular lecturer.

From the description of William Ware letter to My dear sir, circa 1847 Dec. 31. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 72827087

Unitarian clergyman.

From the description of Letter to an unidentified correspondent [manuscript], 1840 March 4. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647814337

From the description of Letter: to unidentified correspondent, 1840 Mar 4. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 122529753

Ware was a Unitarian minister. Ordained in 1821, he worked in New York until 1836, when he turned to writing novels. He returned to the ministry in 1844, in West Cambridge, Massachusetts.

From the description of Letters of Lucius M. Piso ; Probus ; Julian ; manuscript, [ca. 1837-1841] (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612878855

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Subjects:

  • Christianity and other religions
  • Journalism, Religious
  • Journalistic ethics
  • Male authors, American
  • Pastoral theology
  • Theology, Unitarian
  • Unitarianism
  • Unitarianism

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • Massachusetts (as recorded)

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