HORSLEY, SAMUEL (1733-1806). An Eng lish prelate. He was born at Saint, Martin's Place, London, September 15, 1733. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. In 1758 he became curate to his father, then rector of Newington, and the next year succeeded to the rectory, a living which he held for thirty-four years, though he also enjoyed in the interval many other preferments. lie was a scientist as well as a theologian, and first attracted attention by scientific writings. He is chiefly remembered, however, for his controversy with Dr. Joseph Priestley, growing out of the publication of the hatter's History of the Corruptions of Christianity (1782), among which corruptions was included the orthodox doctrine of Christ's uncreated di vinity. Horsley reviewed the work with great severity in his charge delivered to the clergy of the Arehdeaconry of Saint Albans, May 22, 1783, Priestley replied the same year in a publication entitled Letters to Dr. Horsley in Answer to His
Animadversions, etc. In 1784 Horsley retorted in seventeen Letters from the Archdeacon of Saint Albuns in Reply to Dr. Priestley, etc. These were, in return, met by a new series from Priest ley. After a silence of eighteen months, Horsley again replied in his Remarks on Dr. Priestley's second Letters, etc.. and in 1789 collected and published the whole that he had written on the subject. His services were rewarded with the Bishopric of Saint, David's in 1788. whence he was translated to the Bishopric of Rochester in 1793, then to Saint Asaph's in 1802. Ile died at Brighton, October 4, 1806. His collected theologi cal works were published (London. 1845).