Samuel Wesley (poet, died 1735)

Samuel Wesley (17 December 1662 – 25 April 1735) was an English clergyman, poet, and hymn writer. He was the father of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, as well as Samuel Wesley Jr., a musician and headmaster.

Born in Whitchurch, Dorset, Samuel Wesley was the son of John Wesley, a nonconformist minister who was ejected from his living after the Act of Uniformity 1662. He initially followed in his father's footsteps, studying for the dissenting ministry. However, influenced by reading works of Church of England divines, he converted and entered Exeter College, Oxford, in 1685.

He was ordained in the Church of England and held several livings, eventually becoming Rector of Epworth in Lincolnshire, a position he held for nearly 40 years. Despite being a devoted clergyman, he faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and a turbulent relationship with his parishioners. His rectory was twice destroyed by fire, once attributed to arson.

As a writer, Wesley produced a considerable body of work, including poetry, theological treatises, and historical works. His poetry, though not of the highest literary merit, reflects his religious convictions and often deals with moral and didactic themes. He also wrote extensively in defense of the Church of England.

His most notable works include:

• Maggots: or, Poems on Several Subjects (1685)
• Life of Christ (1693), an epic poem
• Dissertations on the Book of Job (1736), published posthumously

Samuel Wesley's importance lies not so much in the quality of his literary output, but in his role as the patriarch of the Wesley family, whose influence profoundly shaped the religious landscape of England and beyond. His religious commitment and literary pursuits undoubtedly influenced his sons, contributing to their intellectual and spiritual development. His complex personality and often difficult circumstances offer insight into the social and religious context of 18th-century England.