William Jay, an English clergyman, born at Tisbury, Wiltshire, May 8, 1769, died in Bath, Dec. 27, 1853. The son of a stone-cutter, he began life as his father's apprentice, and was employed in building Beckford's mansion at Fonthill. His talents attracted the attention of the Rev. Cornelius Winter of the Marlborough dissenting academy, under whose protection and direction he prepared for the Congregational ministry. He began preaching in his 16th year. His first important sphere of labor was at Hope chapel, near Bristol. From thence he removed in 1789 to Argyle chapel in Bath, where he was settled as pastor Jan. 31, 1791, and officiated till he retired from the active ministry in January, 1853. His published sermons have passed through several editions. He also wrote an " Essay on Marriage," "Memoirs of the Rev. Cornelius Winter," " Memoirs of the Rev. John Clark," and "Lectures on Female Scripture Characters" (1854). His most popular work, however, was his " Morning and Evening Exercises" (4 vols., 1854), which has had a very wide circulation.

His earlier works were collected in 12 vols. (Bath, 1845-'9; republished in 3 vols., New York). His autobiography, with a supplement by the Rev. Dr. Redford and the Rev. J. A. James, appeared in 1854.