John Dowley (1706-74) was educated at the Stratford-upon-Avon Academy under J. Alexander. He then ministered to Congregationalist congregations at Oakham (1729-30) and at Lutterworth, Leicestershire (1731-74). He subscribed to Volume 1 of Doddridge's Family Expositor in 1739 and Volume 4 in 1753.