George Wigram

George Vicesimus Wigram (March 29, 1805 - January 1, 1879) was an English biblical scholar and theologian.

He was the 20th child (hence his middle name) of Sir Robert Wigram, a famous merchant, and the 14th child of Lady Eleanor Wigram, Robert's 2nd wife. He embarked on a career in the army but after being converted, left the army and went to Queen's College, Oxford with the intention of being an Anglican cleric. At Oxford he met John Nelson Darby, Benjamin Wills Newton, James L. Harris and Samuel Prideaux Tregelles. Dissatisfied with the established church, Wigram and his friends helped establish non denominational assemblies whiich became known as the Plymouth Brethren.

After leaving Oxford University, Wigram, using his family wealth, in 1830 bought premises in Plymouth and there established a Brethren assembly. During the 1930's Wigram also financed the establishment of assemblies in London.

Wigram had a keen interest in the original Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. In 1839, after years of work, he published 'The Englishman´s Greek and English Concordance to the New Testament' followed in 1843 by 'The Englishman´s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance to the Old Testament'.

With Wigram's help Darby became the most influential personality within the Brethren movement. Wigram is often referred too as being Darby's lieutenant as he firmly supported Darby during moments of crises. In the 1840's he supported Darby in successfully wrestling control of the brethren assembly in Plymouth from Benjamin Wills Newton. In 1848 he supported Darby in a dispute with George Muller and in 1866 he helped Darby fend off accusations of heresy in regards to the sufferings of Christ.

As a member of the Exclusive Brethren he produced a new hymn book, "Hymns for the Poor of the Flock" and became the editor of a periodical "Present Testimony".