Robert King (1815–4 Jan 1900) was an Irish clergyman and school teacher who published extensively on church history.[1]
King was born in Cork City, the eldest son of Sarah King (her married and maiden name) and Joseph King (grocer and naval supplier).[1] He attended Trinity College Dublin where he was elected a Scholar in 1835.[2] He was a Senior Moderator (with Gold Medal) BA in mathematics 1838, also winning prizes in Hebrew and Divinity.[2] [1] He held various positions for the first 20 years of his career, including serving as a curate in counties Dublin, Londonderry and Armagh. From 1858 until his death he was headmaster of the diocesan school in Ballymena, Antrim.[1] [3]
His numerous publications include A Primer of the History of the Holy Catholic Church in Ireland (3 volumes, 1849-1855) and a memoir on the early history of the primacy of Armagh (1854). He was also an Irish language scholar, and authored several books in Irish, including a grammar and a reedited version of the Book of Common Prayer in Irish (1860).[1] [3] [4]
In 1857 he married Harriette Stuart (daughter of Alexander Stuart, rector of Killincoole, Armagh). The couple had nine sons, of whom Richard King became dean of Derry.[1]