George Croly
George Croly (1780-1860) was an Irish clergyman and writer, born in Dublin to a physician. He pursued his education at Trinity College, earning an M.A., and became a minister in the Protestant Church of Ireland. However, Croly found himself disillusioned with his initial ministry in rural Ireland and relocated to London in 1810, where he faced challenges with church authorities due to his outspoken nature. To support his family, he turned to journalism, becoming a literary critic for The Times and serving as a foreign correspondent across Europe.
In 1817, Croly gained recognition with his poem "Paris in 1815" and subsequently married Margaret Helen Begbie, with whom he had several children. His political writings aligned with Ultra-Tory views, advocating for the Anglican Church's role in governance. In 1835, he became vicar of Wren church, a position secured through connections rather than traditional merit. Throughout his life, Croly contributed to various publications, including Blackwood's Magazine and The Universal Review. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of family members, Croly continued to write until his death in 1860 while serving as vicar.
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George Croly
Poet
- Born: August 17, 1780
- Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
- Died: November 24, 1860
- Place of death: Holborn, England
Biography
Clergyman and writer George Croly was the son a physician. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1780. After completing an M.A. at Trinity College, Croly was ordained as a minister in the Protestant Church of Ireland. Croly was a devout Anglican, but he was disenchanted with his first ministry in rural Ireland. Croly moved to London in 1810, but seemed to annoy church officials with his frankness. Croly had to write to support himself, his mother, and two sisters.
Croly’s unvarnished opinions were well employed as a journalist. In 1813, after rising to literary critic at The Times, Croly did a tour as a foreign correspondent on the European Continent. Croly spent about four years as a foreign correspondant. Upon his return in 1817, Croly had his first publishing success with the poem Paris in 1815. In 1817, Croly married Margaret Helen Begbie. They had several children.
Croly edited The Constitution in 1819 and 1820. He became identified as an Ultra-Tory, a distinction characterized by those who advocated the Anglican Church as the arbiter in a balance of power held coequally by the parliament, the aristocrats and the monarchy. Beginning in 1820, Croly began writing for Blackwood’s Magazine. Croly’s work, in any genre, frequently propounded an Ultra-Tory view.
In 1835, Croly became vicar of Wren church for St. Benet and St. Stephen parish. The post was ironic, for Croly was not rewarded his a coveted London parish in recognition of his staunch Ultra-Tory, Anglican credentials; rather, Croly was the beneficiary of Whig party nepotism. Croly’s wife was somehow related to Henry Peter, First Baron Brougham, who facilitated the placement. The parish must have been attractive to Croly, because its small congregation did not distract him from his writing.
Croly’s biography, A Memoir of the Political Life of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke: With Extracts from His Writings, was published in 1840. Croly’s novel about the French revolution, Marston: Or, The Memoirs of a Statesman, was published in 1845. From 1839 to 1846, he wrote for Brittania. Croly also edited the Universal Review. The London Magazine, Morning Herald, The Standard, Church Quarterly Review, and Bentley’s Miscellany all published his contributions.
Croly’s twenty-five years at St. Benet and St. Stephen were not all content. Croly’s son was killed in India in 1845. Croly’s wife and a daughter both died in 1851.While still vicar of Wren church in Walbrook, Croly died in 1860.