William Archer Butler

Butler, William Archer, Rev., was born near Clonmel about 1814, of Catholic parents. At the age of sixteen he became a Protestant, and entering Trinity College, obtained a scholarship in 1832, and distinguished himself by his learning, and by his poetic contributions to the Dublin University Magazine. As Professor of Moral Philosophy, his lectures were remarkable for their elegance and profound reasoning. The latter part of his life was devoted principally to the duties of his parish of Raymoghy, in Raphoe. He died after a short illness, 5th July 1848. His Letters on Mr. Newman's Theory of Development attracted considerable attention. Sir W. Hamilton thus writes of his Lectures on Ancient Philosophy; "I have seen enough of them to be convinced of their great scientific value, and am much gratified in finding so important a subject treated with so much learning and acuteness."

Sources

16. Authors, Dictionary of British and American: S. Austin Allibone. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1859-'71.

39. Biographical Dictionary, Imperial: Edited by John F. Waller. 3 vols. London, N.D.

116. Dublin University Magazine (19). Dublin, 1833-'77.