Background
Wood was born in Collingtree, near Northampton. His father was Benjamin Wood, who attended the services of Philip Doddridge.
Wood was born in Collingtree, near Northampton. His father was Benjamin Wood, who attended the services of Philip Doddridge.
Wood was educated at Stephen Addington"s school at Market Harborough, Leicestershire, then from 1761, studied for the ministry under David Jennings, Samuel Morton Savage, Andrew Kippis, and Abraham Rees.
Wood"s first sermon was preached at Debenham, Suffolk in 1766 and he became minister at Stamford, Lincolnshire the following year. He subsequently preached all over London. Wood and Rees were both ordained in Southwark.
He would remain in post in Leeds until his death from inflammation of the bowel.
He was buried in Mill Hill Chapel yard. Though his father was a Calvinist, Wood did not follow him.
He rejected belief in the Trinity but, as was common at the time, he did not pronounce on doctrinal matters during his sermons. Wood published several collections of sermons and a liturgy, Form of Prayers (1801), for the use of his congregation.
Wood was active in the parliamentary campaigns against the Test and Corporation Acts, chairing a public meeting in Leeds in 1789 and becoming a county delegate to the London committee for repeal.
lieutenant was Wood who was critical in preventing the dissolution of the Manchester Academy when George Walker resigned, recommending its move to York and becoming a visitor. In Leeds, Wood took to taking horse rides for his health and discovered an interest in botany. He developed a recognised expertise and contributed to several encyclopaedia.