Benjamin Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler was an English theologian in Oxford University, who served as Professor of Poetry.

Life
Wheeler was a Fellow of Magdalen College from 1761–77. He was educated at New College and was elected to a scholarship at Trinity College, where he matriculated in 1751. He obtained a BA in 1755 and an MA in 1758. He was elected to a Fellowship at Magdalen College in 1761, became Bursar in 1766, Professor of Poetry in 1766–76, Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1767–82, and Proctor in 1768, and was made a DD in 1770. Wheeler became Rector of Candlesby in 1772 and retained the living until his death in 1783. In 1775 he became Dean of Divinity and was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Oxford. He was named Regius Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ Church in 1776. Wheeler died of an apoplectic fit on 22 July 1783. The young Routh knew Wheeler and clearly respected him (see Middleton, Dr. Routh, pp. 4–5).