BUTLER, WILLIAM JOHN, eldest son of John Laforey Butler, Finchley, Middlesex, London merchant and banker, and Henrietta, dau. of Capt. Robert Patrick; b. 10 Feb 1818; adm. (G) 7 Oct 1830; KS 1832; rowed v. Eton 12 May 1836; elected to Trinity Coll. Cambridge 1836, adm. pens. 2 Jun 1836, scholar 1837; BA 1840; MA 1844 (incorp. Oxford 1847); DD 1885; ordained deacon 1841, priest 1842 (Winchester); Curate, Dogmersfield, Hants., 1841-3, Puttenham, Surrey, 1843-4; Perpetual Curate of Wareside, Herts., 1844-6; Vicar of Wantage, Berks., 1846-80; founder and Warden of Penitential Sisterhood of St. Mary, Wantage, 1850; elected Bishop of Natal by diocesan synod 25 Oct 1866, but his election was disapproved by Archbishop Longley; Hon. Canon, Christ Church, Oxford, 1872; Canon of Worcester 1880-5; Dean of Lincoln from 15 Jul 1885; a Busby Trustee from 25 May 1889; author, Sermons for Working Men, 1847, and other works; m. 29 Jul 1843 Emma, dau. of George Henry Barnett, Glympton Park, Oxfordshire, banker; d. 14 Jan 1894. DNB.