Author: William Leask
Author: William Leask (1812–1884)
Biography: William Leask was born on 4 March 1812 in Kirkwall, Orkney, the son of "humble parents" Henry Leask and his wife Margaret (née Holland). Poor, he was self-educated eventually moving to Edinburgh to continue his education. Leask was ordained as a nonconformist minister in Sheffield in 1839. Thereafter, he held posts in Liverpool, Dover, Kennington, and Ware. He was finally the minister at Maberly Chapel, Kingsland. His deeply held beliefs put him at odds with many of his contemporaries. A prolific author, he wrote numerous religious works as well as fiction and poetry. He contributed to a number of religious periodicals and edited both the Christian Weekly News and The Rainbow. He married Annie Moir and the couple had several sons. He died on 6 November 1884 at home in Hackney.
Author Tags:
References: British Census (1871, 1881); DNB; Eastern Post (15 November 1884); Scottish Notes and Queries (June 1899)
Fiction Titles:
- The Shepherd of Grove Hall: A Story of 1662. 1 vol. London: John Snow, 1862.
- Willy Heath: and The House Rent. 1 vol. London: Partridge, 1863.
- Carey Glynn: or, The Child-Teacher. 1 vol. London: Partridge, 1868.