Alban Butler

Alban Butler (October 24 NS, 1710 - St-Omer, France May 15, 1773), English Roman Catholic priest and hagiographer, was born at Appletree Northamptonshire.

Related Topics:
October 24 - 1710 - May 15 - 1773 - English - Roman Catholic - Hagiographer - Northamptonshire

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He was educated at the English college, Douai, where on his ordination to the priesthood inm 1735 he held successively the chairs of philosophy and divinity. He labored for some time as a missionary priest in Staffordshire, held several positions as tutor to young Roman Catholic noblemen, and was finally appointed president of the English seminary at St Omer, where he remained till his death.

Related Topics:
Douai - Staffordshire - St Omer

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Butler's great work, The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints ("Butler's Lives"), the result of thirty years study (first published in four volumes, London, 1756-1759), has passed through many editions and translations (best edition, including valuable notes, Dublin, 12 vols. 1779-1780). It is a popular and compendious reproduction of the Acta Sanctorum, exhibiting great industry and research, and is in all respects the best compendium of Acta in English.

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In 1745 Butler was commissioned to act as tutor and guide to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and his two brothers, James and Thomas Talbot, both afterwards Catholic bishops, on the Grand Tour. On his return he acted as Catholic mission priest in his native Midlands. He acted as chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk, whose nephew and heir, the Hon. Edward Howard, Butler accompanied to Paris as tutor. While he was in Paris, Butler completed his Lives.

Related Topics:
George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury - Grand Tour

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See An Account of the Life of A. B. by C. B., i.e. by his nephew Charles Butler (London, 1799); and Joseph Gillows Bibliographical Dictionary of English Catholics, vol. i.

Related Topics:
Charles Butler - Joseph Gillows

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One modern abridged Concise Edition is: ISBN 0060692995

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A modern complete edition (1995–2000) is also available in 12 volumes, organized by month and feast day:

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• The January volume is ISBN 0814623778.
• February ISBN 0814623786
• March ISBN 0814623794
• April ISBN 0814623808
• May ISBN 0814623816
• June ISBN 0814623824
• July ISBN 0814623832
• August ISBN 0814623840
• September ISBN 0814623859
• October ISBN 0814623867
• November ISBN 0814623875
• December ISBN 0814623883
 
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