His father John was Master of Newark School. He received his education at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1704.^[1]

In 1722 Twells was presented to the vicarage of St. Mary's, Marlborough, Wiltshire. He took the degree of M.A. at Oxford by diploma, 7 December 1733, and was created D.D. in that university, 7 July 1740. In 1737 he was presented to the united rectories of St Matthew, Friday Street, and St Peter, Cheapside, in London. He was also a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, and one of the lecturers at St. Dunstan's-in-the-West.

Twells died at Islington on 19 February 1742, leaving a large family without provision.

His works are:

• A Critical Examination of the late new Text and Version of the New Testament, wherein the editor's corrupt text, false version, and fallacious notes are detected and censur'd, 3 parts, London, 1731–2. Against Daniel Mace. Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3.
• A Vindication (and a Supplement to the Vindication) of the Gospel of St. Matthew, against a late tract entitled A Dissertation or inquiry concerning the canonical authority of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, 2 pts. London, 1735.
• A Second Vindication of the Gospel of St. Matthew, London, 1735.
• An Answer to the Enquiry into the meaning of Demoniacks in the New Testament, London, 1737.
• An Answer to the Further Enquiry into the meaning of Demoniacks in the New Testament, in a second letter to the author, London, 1738. This and the previous work were addressed to Arthur Ashley Sykes.
• The Theological Works of Dr. Pocock. To which is prefixed an account of his life and writings, London, 1740. This was a subscription of works of Edward Pocock.
• Twenty-four Sermons preached ... at the lecture founded by the Hon. R. Boyle, and eight Sermons preached ... at the lecture founded by the Lady Moyer, 2 vols. London, 1743; 2nd edit. 1755. Boyle Lectures and Moyer Lectures.

• "Twells, Leonard" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Attribution

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Twells, Leonard". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.