Alban Butler (13 October 171015 May 1773) was an English Roman Catholic priest and hagiographer. Born in Northamptonshire, he studied at the English College in Douay, France, where he later taught philosophy and theology. He served as a guide on the Grand Tour to the nephews of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Upon his return in 1749, Butler was made chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk. He was appointed president of the English seminary at Saint Omer in France. Butler is mainly known for his Lives of the Saints, the result of thirty years of work.

Biography

Alban Butler was born in 1710, at Appletree, Aston le Walls, Northamptonshire, the second son of Simon Butler, Esq. His father died when he was young and he was sent to the Lancashire boarding school run by Dame Alice.

In 1745, Butler came to the attention of the Duke of Cumberland, younger son of King George II, for his devotion to the wounded English soldiers during the defeat at the Battle of Fontenoy.

Around 1746, Butler served as tutor and guide on the Grand Tour to James and Thomas Talbot, nephews of Gilbert Talbot, 13th Earl of Shrewsbury. Their elder brother, George, succeeded their uncle as 14th Earl of Shrewsbury. Both James and Thomas Talbot later became Catholic bishops.

Butler returned to England in 1749 and was made chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk, whose nephew and heir, the Hon. Edward Howard, Butler accompanied to Paris as tutor. While he was in Paris, Butler completed his Lives.

He laboured for some time as a missionary priest in Staffordshire, and was finally appointed president of the English seminary at Saint Omer in France, where he remained until his death.

The Lives of Saints

thumb|The Lives of the Saints

Butler's great work, The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints ("Butler's Lives"), was written over thirty years. It was first published in four volumes in London, from 1756 to 1759.

More than just a translation of the Acta Sanctorum, "The Lives of the Saints" adds Butler's own unique voice and perspective, as well as his research and study. It has been called "the best compendium of Acta in English"

References

  • "The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints", Complete text of the 12 vol. ed. of 1866 at Bartleby.com
  • Alban Butler letter from Saint-Omer, France, 1770 at Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology
  • One modern abridged Concise Edition is:
  • A modern complete edition (1995–2000) is also available in 12 volumes, organized by month and feast day: (The January volume is ; February ; March ; April ; May ; June ; July ; August ; September ; October ; November ; December )