Robert Potter (author)
 | This article relies on a single source. (May 2026) |
Robert Potter | |
|---|---|
 Potter in 1871 | |
| Born | Robert Potter 18 October 1831 Louisburgh, Ireland |
| Died | 12 July 1908 (aged 76) South Yarra, Australia |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse |
Rebecca Potter
(m. 1859; died 1899) |
| Children | 5 [2] |
| Writing career | |
| Years active | 1864–1905 |
| Genres |
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| Notable works |
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Robert Potter (18 October 1831 – 12 July 1908),[3] also known as Canon Potter, was an Irish Australian author, Anglican minister and theologian. He is known best for his 1892 novel The Germ Growers, which is the oldest known Alien Invasion story.
Life
[edit]Potter was born on 18 October 1831, in Louisburgh, Mayo, Ireland. His father was a clergyman. He was educated at Trinity College, in Dublin. While there he was awarded first prize in rhetoric and English literature. Potter's college years ended in 1856 when he graduated with an arts degree, with a first in divinity.[3]
In 1858 he relocated to Australia where his brother had already settled. On 25 April 1858, Potter was ordained deacon in Sydney, and a priest in Geelong the next year. He went to serve in Albury, New South Wales until 1854. He then went to Maldon for a brief time before being appointed to St. Mary's in North Melbourne, where he served until 1882. In 1880, Potter was appointed by Bishop Moorhouse to be a lecturer in theology to candidates in the ministry. During 1882, he began his lectures which he continued doing until April, 1905. In 1893, Potter was inducted as incumbent of All Saints', East St. Kilda, from which he retired from active service but continued lecturing.[3]
Potter wrote and published many sermons, including The Relation of Ethics to Religion in 1888.[3]
In 1871, he was featured in the book The Critic in Church possibly by Howard Willough.[4] Otherwise know as Melbourne Preachers and Preaching in the form of a sketch above page 55 ,along with other priest in the area.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Potter married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Cochrane of Ballinsloe, Ireland at Christ Church, Ballarat in April 1859.[6]
The two had five children: three sons and two daughters.[2]
She died at her home at St Kilda's vicarage, Victoria on 14 February 1899.[7]
Potter died 12 July 1908 at his home in South Yarra, Victoria.[3]
Not much is known about his family, the aforementioned father and his brother's names are unknown as well as his mother's.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Family Notices". The Star. Vol. IV, no. 102. Victoria, Australia. 30 April 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
- 1 2 "Robert Potter (1831–1908)". Obituaries Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Robert Potter". Obituaries Australia. Australian National University. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ https://ehive.com/collections/6420/objects/792697/the-critic-in-church-or-melbourne-preachers-and-preaching-reprinted-from-the-weekly-times#:~:text=goer%2C%22-,originally%20published%20in%20the%20Weekly%20times%2C%20in%201871.%20The%20author%20may%20have%20been%20Howard%20Willough,-by
- ↑ https://files02.sl.nsw.gov.au/fotoweb/pdf/5881/58814500.pdf
- ↑ "Family Notices". The Star. Vol. IV, no. 102. Victoria, Australia. 30 April 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Family Notices". Gippsland Times. No. 4, 920. Victoria, Australia. 16 February 1899. p. 2 (Morning). Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Tree View - Robert Potter - Obituaries Australia".