Samuel Augustus Barnett was an Anglican priest and social reformer born in Bristol in 1844. He is most recognized for establishing Toynbee Hall in 1884, which served as the first university settlement in London's East End. Alongside his wife, Henrietta, he worked to improve living conditions in impoverished areas through various philanthropic initiatives. Throughout his career, he held significant ecclesiastical positions, including serving as a canon at Bristol Cathedral and later as a sub-dean at Westminster Abbey.