Charles Kegan Paul

Charles Kegan Paul (8 March 1828 – 19 July 1902), usually known as Kegan Paul, was an English author, publisher and former Anglican cleric. He began his adult life as a priest of the Church of England and held various ministry positions for more than 20 years. His religious orientation moved from the orthodoxy of the Church of England to first Agnosticism, then Positivism and finally Roman Catholicism. Early life Paul was born on 8 March 1828 at Whitelackington, Somerset, the eldest of 10 children of the Reverend Charles Paul (18021861) and Frances Kegan Horne (18021848) of Bath, Somerset. He was educated at Eton College where he entered Dr Hawtrey's house in 1841 at 13 years of age. Paul matriculated on 29 January 1846 at age 17 and entered Exeter College, Oxford. He received his B.A. degree three years later, in 1849. Ordained ministry Paul was ordained deacon in Lent 1851 and was a curate at Great Tew in the Oxford diocese for 18511852. He was ordained a priest in 1852 and was curate of Bloxham near Banbury, Oxfordshire, for six months. After some time as a tutor to pupils travelling in Germany, Paul was appointed to a chaplain's post at Eton. He was a chaplain and an assistant master for 18531862. He was also the Master in College, the housemaster of College, the oldest boarding house at Eton, which holds seventy King's Scholars. He had not been a King's Scholar himself because although a nomination could be obtained without difficulty, College was at it lowest ebb, in comfort, morals and number. Paul's aunt made a visit to Eton to check out the school before he was sent and reported that the "worst ward in the worst hospital" was preferable to Long Chamber, the dormitory for College. Given the condition of hospitals at the time this was a terrible indictment, and Paul was initially placed instead in Goodford's house. He left teaching ar Eton in 1862 and was appointed vicar to Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, a living in the gift of Eton. It was not a large living, being worth less than £300 a year. He ministered there for 12 years. He associated with Joseph Arch's movement on behalf of agricultural labourers in Dorset. Finding himself more and more out of sympathy with the teachings of the Church of England, he abandoned his living and went to London. While he was at Sturminster Marshall he completed the requirements for his M.A. degree which was awarded in 1868.