Warrington Academy - History

History

It was called "the cradle of Unitarianism" by Arthur Aikin Brodribb writing in the Dictionary of National Biography, who went on to say that it: "formed during the twenty-nine years of its existence the centre of the liberal politics and the literary taste of the county of Lancashire". It was planned in 1753, to replace other training schools in northern England having funding from the English Presbyterians: Caleb Rotheram of the Kendal academy died in 1752, and Ebenezer Latham of the Findern and Derby academy in 1754. It was not, however, formally constituted till June 1757, when funds had been raised by John Seddon of Warrington. The first site was the Cairo Street Chapel; subsequently the building was a large red brick house.

Three tutors were chosen initially: John Taylor, of Norwich, taught divinity; Mr. Holt, of Kirkdale, natural philosophy; and John Aikin, classics. Henry Willoughby, 13th Baron Willoughby of Parham, was the first president of the academy. Soon a fourth tutor was appointed. On the death of Dr. Taylor, in 1761, Aikin became tutor in divinity, and was succeeded in his old duties by Joseph Priestley. Among the other tutors who at some point joined the staff of the academy were Reinhold Forster, William Enfield, George Walker, Nicholas Clayton, and Gilbert Wakefield.

The Academy hit difficulties, with falling rolls and financial problems leading to its closure in 1782. The disciplinary issues, coupled with unsettled debates over the principles of education, had led to a loss of confidence from the direction of the financial backers. It was formally dissolved in 1786, with the funds being divided in application to the successor Manchester Academy and the New College at Hackney, after a plan to amalgamate with the Daventry Academy of Thomas Belsham had come to nothing.