Miles Atkinson

Atkinson was born on 28 September 1741 in Ledsham, Yorkshire, England, to the Reverend Christopher Atkinson, rector of Thorp Arch.^[2] His younger brother was the poet William Atkinson.^[2] He was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, graduating Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1763.^[3]

Atkinson was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon on 18 March 1764 and as a priest in 25 May 1766.^[2] He served his curacy at the parish church of Leeds, before becoming headmaster of the school of Drighlington, near Leeds (1764–70); he was also lecturer of the parish church of Leeds in 1769. In 1783, he was appointed vicar of Kippax, near Leeds. At a cost of nearly £10,000 (equivalent to £1.48 million in 2023), he founded and built St Paul's Church, Park Square, Leeds, of which he became minister in 1793.^[4] He was also responsible for construction of St Paul's vicarage in 1790.^[5]

In April 1768, Atkinson married Mary Kenion. Together, they had at least two sons.^[2]

Atkinson died on 6 February 1811.^[4] He was buried at St Paul's Church, Leeds.^[2]

Atkinson published several pulpit discourses, and a collection of his Practical Sermons was published at London in two volumes, 1812.^[4]

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Atkinson, Miles". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.