W. Chudley
William Chudley was an English printer, stationer, deacon, and activist. He operated a printing and stationary business in Exeter for around 60 years and served as a Baptist deacon for around 40 years at the South Street Baptist Church. Chudley was an advocate of temperance and vegetarianism. He was a founding member of the Exeter Total Abstinence Society and Devon County Vegetarian Society.
Biography
Early life
William Chudley was born in the second quarter of 1838 in Exeter.Career
For over 60 years in Exeter, Chudley operated the printing and stationary company W. Chudley & Son. He was also the director of the Eastgate Coffee Tavern. In 1869, he published The Weekly Marvel, a journal devoted to temperance propaganda, which lasted for about a year.A devout Baptist, Chudley served as a deacon for around 40 years at the South Street Baptist Church. Additionally, he was a member of the Board of Guardians for St. Mary Major's Ward and participated in the governing body of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. He also ran unsuccessfully for Exeter City Council on three occasions.
Activism
Chudley was a founding member of the Exeter Total Abstinence Society and served as honorary secretary.In 1882, following two lectures by Dr. T. L. Nichols, Chudley formed the Devon County Vegetarian Society along with J. I. Pengelly, who served as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.
Personal life and death
Chudley married Jane Ramster on 8 April 1868 at the Independent Chapel, Castle Street. They had one son. His wife died in 1912.Chudley died on 25 May 1919 in Exeter at the age of 81, following a ten-day illness caused by bronchial pneumonia. He was buried at the Higher Cemetery on 30 May. His son A. J. Chudley took over his father's business following his death.