Butler, Alban (1711–1773)

English Roman Catholic hagiographer. He was ordained a priest in 1735. In 1746 he was on the English mission. He was also, at some stage, chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk. His chief work is the five-volume Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints (1756–59). Butler was born in Northamptonshire, England. He was educated at Douai College in France, where he became professor successively of philosophy and theology. From 1768–77 he was president of the English college at St Omer, France.