Richard Whately (1787–1863) was a distinguished English academic, rhetorician, logician, philosopher, economist, and theologian. Over the course of his diverse career, he served as a reforming Archbishop of Dublin for the Church of Ireland, establishing himself as a leading and influential Broad Churchman. Whately was widely recognized as a highly prolific and combative author who wrote extensively on a vast range of academic, theological, and philosophical topics.\n\nIn addition to his scholarly and ecclesiastical achievements, Whately was known as a flamboyant character who active in the intellectual circles of his era. He also holds a notable place in literary history as one of the very first reviewers to recognize and highlight the immense talents of the novelist Jane Austen.