- GB-2014-WSA-01460
- Person
- 1707-1788
WESLEY, CHARLES, brother of Samuel Wesley (qv); b. 18 Dec 1707; adm. Apr 1716; KS 1721; Capt. of the School 1725; elected head to Christ Church, Oxford 1726, matr. 13 Jun 1726, Westminster Student 22 Dec 1726 – void by marriage 5 May 1749, Tutor 1732-3; acquired the nickname “Methodist” while at university; BA 1730; MA 12 Mar 1732/3; ordained deacon (Oxford), priest (London) Oct 1735; Secretary to James Oglethorpe, Governor of Georgia 1736-8 (but was only in Georgia to Jul 1736); became “converted” 21 May 1738; settled at Bristol and made evangelistic journeys through the country 1739-56; removed to Bath 1761 and to London 1771; preached at the City Road Chapel; called by Robert Southey (qv) “the sweet singer of Methodism”; composed some 6500 hymns; his poetical works, together with those of his brother John, were published in thirteen volumes 1868-72; m. 8 Apr 1749 Sarah, third dau. of Marmaduke Gwynne, Garth, Llanlleonfel, Breconshire; d. 29 Mar 1788. Tablet to him and his brother John erected in Westminster Abbey 1871. DNB.