COWPER & NEWTON MUSEUM - Key Persons

In Huntingdon Cowper made the acquaintance of William Unwin, then studying theology at Cambridge. He was befriended by William's family and moved in with them. William's mother Mary Unwin treated him like a second son. Following the death in 1767 of William's father Rev. Morley Unwin, Mary Unwin and her daughter, and Cowper, moved to Olney, invited there by the Curate-in-charge, John Newton. Newton initially shared his house with them. The following year, the family moved to Orchard Side (now the Museum). In 1773, William suffered another major breakdown. He felt forsaken by God. He ceased to attend church, but continued with Newton to write occasional hymns. These were included by Newton in the Olney Hymns, published in 1779.

John Newton lived in Olney for nearly 16 years (1764 to 1779) as curate-in-charge of the parish church, St Peter & St Paul. Newton was a frequent visitor at Orchard Side to see his friend William Cowper and the two families socialised regularly. Charting John Newton's childhood, experiences at sea, participation in the slave trade & courtship of Polly. Explore how a storm at sea affected his life & his journey from slave ship captain to abolitionist.

William Cowper was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire in 1731 to Reverend John Cowper and Ann, daughter of Roger Donne of Ludham Hall, Norfolk. Tragically, Cowper's mother died when he was 6 years old. Cowper's background was that of a gentleman - his great uncle Earl Cowper had been Lord Chancellor of England - but all his life he suffered from lack of money and was dependent on friends and family and occasional journalism to make ends meet. From 1742 he attended Westminster School in London, , where like all young men of his time he studied the Classics and finished third in his year. William Cowper (1731-1800), pronounced "Cooper", was a renowned 18th century poet and translator of Homer. His most famous works include his 5000-line poem ‘The Task' and some charming and light-hearted verses, not least ‘The Diverting History of John Gilpin'. Phrases he coined such as ‘Variety is the spice of life' are still in popular use today. While living in Olney he collaborated on ‘The Olney Hymns' with his friend John Newton. Keep reading to find out more about his life…