Alexander McCaul

Alexander McCaul (16 May 1799 – 13 November 1863) was an Irish Hebraist and missionary to the Jews.

McCaul studied Hebrew and German in Warsaw and later moved to St. Petersburg, where he was received by Alexander I of Russia. After returning to England and being ordained, he served as curate of Huntley, near Gloucester. He then returned to Poland in 1823 to lead the mission to the Jews in Warsaw and served as the English chaplain until 1830, despite conflicts with Lutheran congregations. In Berlin, he gained the support of the English ambassador George Henry Rose and the Crown Prince of Prussia.

In 1832, McCaul settled in London, supporting the London Society and founding the Jews' Operatives Converts Institution. He began publishing Old Paths, a weekly pamphlet on Jewish ritual. In 1840, he was appointed principal of the Hebrew college by the London Society and later became a professor at King's College London.

McCaul was also rector of St James Duke's Place and St Magnus-the-Martyr, as well as a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral. He played a significant role in the Convocation of the English clergy, where he initially opposed, but later collaborated with, the High Church party. McCaul died on 13 November 1863 and is buried in the City of London Cemetery.

Life McCaul, the son of Alexander McCaul (a cordwainer) was born to a Protestant family in Dublin, 16 May 1799. He was educated at a private school, and entering Trinity College Dublin, 3 October 1814, graduated B.A. 1819, and proceeded M.A. 1831; he was created D.D. in 1837. He was for some time tutor to the Earl of Rosse, and then, was sent in 1821 to Poland as a missionary, by the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews.

McCaul studied Hebrew and German at Warsaw, and at the end of 1822 went to St. Petersburg, where he was received by Alexander I of Russia. Returning to England, he was ordained and served the curacy of Huntley, near Gloucester, where he became close to Samuel Roffey Maitland. In 1823 he married and returned to Poland, living at Warsaw as head of the mission to the Jews, and English chaplain, until 1830. He was supported by the Grand Duke Constantine, but had disputes with the Lutheran congregations. Moving to Berlin, where he was befriended by George Henry Rose, the English ambassador, and by the Crown Prince of Prussia, who had known him at Warsaw. he became prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, and in 1847 declined Archbishop William Howley's offer of one of the new colonial bishoprics. In 1850 he became rector of the united parish of St Magnus-the-Martyr. When the sittings of Convocation were revived in 1852, McCaul was elected proctor for the London clergy, and represented them for the rest of his life. At first strongly opposed to the revival of the ancient powers of convocation, he modified his views and worked with the High Church party, opposing the relaxation of the subscription to the 39 articles.

Works McCaul's major works: and founded the Distressed Gentlefolk's Aid Association, now known as Elizabeth Finn Care.