John Prior Estlin

John Prior Estlin (1747–1817) was an English Unitarian minister. He was noted as a teacher, and for his connections in literary circles.

Life He was born at Hinckley, Leicestershire, 9 April (O.S.) 1747, and was the son of Thomas Estlin, hosier, by his wife, née Prior. His education was undertaken by his mother's brother, the Rev. John Prior, vicar of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and chaplain to the Earl of Moira. In 1764 he entered Warrington Academy, where the divinity chair was held by John Aikin. Here he decided that he could not subscribe to the articles of the Church of England, but still desired to become a minister of religion.

In 1770 he accepted an invitation to become the colleague of the Rev. Thomas Wright at the Unitarian chapel at Lewin's Mead, Bristol, and entered on his duties in January 1771. He soon afterwards opened a school at St. Michael's Hill, Bristol, which met with great success, some of his pupils rising to eminence in parliament and the professions. His pupils held him in so much esteem that they obtained the degree of LL.D. (Glasgow) for him without his knowledge. It was conferred in 1807. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Joseph Priestley, Mrs. Anna Barbauld, and Robert Hall were among his friends.