Rev. John Aikin was a British theologian and tutor closely associated with the Warrington Academy, a prominent dissenting academy in northern England. Aikin was born in 1713 in London. His father, originally from Kirkcudbright in southern Scotland, settled in London where he worked as a linen-draper.
Following the death of his father in 1723, John Aikin worked briefly as a clerk in a mercantile house, and enrolled as Philip Doderidge's first student at Kibworth Academy. Thereafter he attended Aberdeen University, where he was influenced by the the anti-Calvinist opinions of his tutors, leading him to adopt Low Arianism, which would become a distinguishing feature of the Warrington Academy. At Aberdeen he attained the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Upon his return to England he was ordained and, following a brief period of working as Doddridge's assistant, he led a dissenting congregation at Market Harborough. His career as a minister was cut short due to poor health and he began teaching. Among his students at Kibworth were Thomas Belsham; other pupils of included Newcome Cappe, Thomas Cogan, and Thomas Simpson.
In 1757 Aikin became one of the first three tutors at Warrington Academy where he taught the classics. In 1761, he was replaced by Joseph Priestly and became a tutor in divinity.
John Aikin married Jane Jennings, the daughter of John Jennings, founder of the academy at Kibworth. They had two children: John Aikin, a physician and author, and Anna Laetitia Barbauld, an author and literary critic whose published works included poetry, essays, and children's literature.
Aikin's health further deteriorated in 1778 forcing him to resign from his teaching duties shortly thereafter. He died at Warrington in 1780.
Rev. John Aikin was a British theologian and tutor closely associated with the Warrington Academy, a prominent dissenting academy in northern England. Aikin was born in 1713 in London. His father, originally from Kirkcudbright in southern Scotland, settled in London where he worked as a linen-draper.
Following the death of his father in 1723, John Aikin worked briefly as a clerk in a mercantile house, and enrolled as Philip Doderidge's first student at Kibworth Academy. Thereafter he attended Aberdeen University, where he was influenced by the the anti-Calvinist opinions of his tutors, leading him to adopt Low Arianism, which would become a distinguishing feature of the Warrington Academy. At Aberdeen he attained the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Upon his return to England he was ordained and, following a brief period of working as Doddridge's assistant, he led a dissenting congregation at Market Harborough. His career as a minister was cut short due to poor health and he began teaching. Among his students at Kibworth were Thomas Belsham; other pupils of included Newcome Cappe, Thomas Cogan, and Thomas Simpson.
In 1757 Aikin became one of the first three tutors at Warrington Academy where he taught the classics. In 1761, he was replaced by Joseph Priestly and became a tutor in divinity.
John Aikin married Jane Jennings, the daughter of John Jennings, founder of the academy at Kibworth. They had two children: John Aikin, a physician and author, and Anna Laetitia Barbauld, an author and literary critic whose published works included poetry, essays, and children's literature.
Aikin's health further deteriorated in 1778 forcing him to resign from his teaching duties shortly thereafter. He died at Warrington in 1780.
Gravesite Details
The second existing chapel at Warrington, Cairo Street Chapel, built in 1745, contains a monument to John Aikin, D.D., who served the Warrington Academy for twenty-three years and is interred within the chapel.
Family Members
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