Henry Handley Norris

Henry Handley Norris (1771–1850) was an English clergyman and theologian. He was the clerical leader of the High Church grouping later known as the Hackney Phalanx, that grew up around him and his friend Joshua Watson.

Life The son of Henry Handley Norris of Hackney, by Grace, daughter of the Rev. T. Hest of Warton, Lancashire, he was born at Hackney on 14 January 1771. Educated at Newcome's School and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1797, M.A. 1806, he was admitted ad eundem at the University of Oxford on 23 January 1817.

Norris became a curate of Hackney parish church, the Church of St John-at-Hackney. He contributed to the cost of building a chapel-of-ease in South Hackney, not far from his family mansion. In 1809, on becoming the perpetual curate of the chapel, he made over to trustees a fee-farm rent of £21 a year as an endowment; he also erected at his own expense a minister's residence in Well Street. In 1831 the perpetual curacy became a rectory, and in this incumbency Norris remained till his death. daughter of David Powell (17 Sep 1773 – 26 June 1854) and Laetitia Clark (25 Dec 1741 – 27 April 1801). They had a son, Henry, born on 28 February 1810, formerly of Swancliffe Park, Oxfordshire.