Dale

Dale, Robert William (b. 1829, d. 1895), an independent minister of Birmingham, was well known as taking a prominent part in local politics. He was born in London, and graduated as M.A. of London University in 1853. In the same year he joined the ministry, and was appointed to the Carr's Lane Congregational chapel in Birmingham, where he was the colleague of John Angell James, whom he succeeded in the chief pastorate. In 1868-9 he was chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and for seven years he edited the Congrcgationalist. Among his numerous writings were articles in reviews and magazines, and he also edited a translation of Reuss on the Theology of the Apostolic Age. In 1877 he lectured upon preaching at Yale College, Connecticut, U.S.A., and received from that body the degree of D.D., becoming also LL.D. of Glasgow in 1883. He was for a time vice-chairman of the Birmingham school board, and in 1886 he was a member of the Royal Commission upon the Elementary Education Acts. He was a governor of Birmingham grammar school.