Henley, John (1692-1756)

English religious teacher. In 1726 he left the church and established in London his famous Oratory. Here he preached primitive Christianity on Sundays, and taught ‘universal knowledge’ on Wednesdays, attracting large numbers by the strangeness of his methods and doctrines.

Henley was born in Melton Mowbray, England. He was educated at Cambridge University. He became a teacher, and took holy orders, with curacies in Melton Mowbray, London, and Chelmondiston, Suffolk. In 1730 editor of the High Doctor. He wrote Esther in 1714.