Frederic D'Aeth

Frederic George D'Aeth (1875 – 1940) was a British social administrator, lecturer and author of books on social matters, whose work particularly in Liverpool "played a key role in winning for the city its status as the flagship of social advance in the early twentieth century".

Early life and education D'Aeth was born at 4, Hyde Side Terrace, Edmonton, Middlesex, the fourth of seven children of bank clerk Alfred D'Aeth and Elizabeth (née Gosling). The D'Aeths were of Huguenot origin (from Ath), having come to England to farm in Suffolk in the late eighteenth century. Educated at the Mercers' School, D'Aeth started work as a clerk at the National Assurance Company aged 15, where his apprenticeship allowed him to learn business administration and bookkeeping. He took up independent study with the goal of becoming a clergyman, subsequently attending King's College London classes part-time, then, in 1896, went up to Oxford as a non-collegiate student at the same time as studying theology at St Stephen's House. D'Aeth completed his Oxford studies in 1899, receiving a third-class BA in theology.

In holy orders Having left Oxford, later that year D'Aeth was ordained a deacon, and admitted in that role to Manchester Cathedral, working also as curate of St Matthew's Church, Habergham Eaves, Burnley, Lancashire. He was ordained a priest in 1901.