BUTLER, Joseph, late bishop of Durham, a prelate distinguished by his piety and learning, was the youngest son of Mr Thomas Butler, a reputable shopkeeper at Wantage in Berkshire, where he was born in the year 1692. His father, who was a Presbyterian, observing that he had a strong inclination to learning, after his being at a grammar-school, sent him to an academy in Gloucestershire, in order to qualify him for a dissenting minister; and while there, he wrote some remarks on Dr Clarke's first sermon at Boyle's lecture. Afterwards, resolving to conform to the established church, he studied at Oriel college, where he contracted an intimate friendship with Mr Edward Talbot, son of the bishop of Durham, and brother to the lord chancellor, who laid the foundation of his subsequent advancement. He was first appointed preacher at the Rolls, and rector of Haughton and Stanhope, two rich benefices in the bishopric of Durham. He quitted the Rolls in 1726; and published in 8vo, a volume of sermons, preached at that chapel. After this he constantly resided at Stanhope, in the regular discharge of all the duties of his office, till the year 1733, when he was called to attend the lord chancellor Talbot as his chaplain, who gave him a prebend in the church of Rochester. In the year 1736, he was appointed clerk of the closet to Queen Caroline, whom he attended every day, by her majesty's special command, from seven to nine in the evening. In 1738 he was appointed to the bishopric of Bristol; and not long afterwards to the deanery of St Paul's, London. He now resigned his living of Stanhope. In the year 1746, he was made clerk of the closet to the king; and in 1750, was translated to Durham. This rich preferment he enjoyed but a short time; for he died at Bath June 16, 1752. His corpse was interred in the cathedral at Bristol; where there is a monument, with an inscription, erected to his memory. He died a bachelor. His deep learning and comprehensive mind appear sufficiently in his writings, particularly in that excellent treatise entitled, The Analogy of Religion, natural and revealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature, published in 8vo, 1736.