Thomas Binney, an English dissenting clergyman, born at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1798. He studied at Wymondley college, was for some time minister of an Independent chapel at Newport, Isle of Wight, and from 1829 to 1871 of the King's Weigh-house chapel, then in Eastcheap, afterward in the new building on Fish street hill, London. The degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the university of Aberdeen, and that of D. D. he received in the United States, which he visited in 1845 as well as Canada; and in 1857-'9 he visited Australia. He introduced chanting into the service of Independent congregations, improved the psalmody by his "Service of Song in the House of the Lord," and acquired renown as one of the most popular preachers of England. He has published many works of a religious character, several being expressly designed for the young. Among them are: "Fiat Jus-titia," a series of pamphlets treating upon topics which have agitated the religious public; "Dissent not Schism," "The Christian Ministry not a Priesthood," and others of a polemical nature. "The Practical Power of Faith " (1830) is a series of sermons on the 11th chapter of Hebrews. The "Life of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton," and "Is it Possible to Make the Best of Both Worlds?" were originally delivered as lectures.

During his visit to Australia he wrote a review of the bishop of Adelaide's "Idea of the Church of the Future," which he afterward expanded into the "Lights and Shadows of Church Life in Australia." In 1868 he published "From Seventeen to Thirty," a work for the young; and in 1809 a volume of sermons. Other works are, "St. Paul, his Life and Ministry," "Micah the Priest-maker," and "Thoughts on some Things at Home."