Robert Potter

Robert Potter (18 October 1831 – 12 July 1908), also known as Canon Potter, was an Irish Australian author, Anglican minister and theologian. He is known best for his 1892 novel The Germ Growers, which is the oldest known Alien Invasion story.

Life

Potter was born on 18 October 1831, in Louisburgh, Mayo, Ireland. His father was a clergyman. He was educated at Trinity College, in Dublin. While there he was awarded first prize in rhetoric and English literature. Potter's college years ended in 1856 when he graduated with an arts degree, with a first in divinity.

In 1858 he relocated to Australia where his brother had already settled. On 25 April 1858, Potter was ordained deacon in Sydney, and a priest in Geelong the next year. He went to serve in Albury, New South Wales until 1854. He then went to Maldon for a brief time before being appointed to St. Mary's in North Melbourne, where he served until 1882. In 1880, Potter was appointed by Bishop Moorhouse to be a lecturer in theology to candidates in the ministry. During 1882, he began his lectures which he continued doing until April, 1905. In 1893, Potter was inducted as incumbent of All Saints', East St. Kilda, from which he retired from active service but continued lecturing.

Potter wrote and published many sermons, including The Relation of Ethics to Religion in 1888.

In 1871, he was featured in the book The Critic in Church possibly by Howard Willough. Otherwise know as Melbourne Preachers and Preaching in the form of a sketch above page 55,along with other priest in the area.