He was admitted to Merchant Taylors' School on 11 September 1634, and was elected to St John's College, Oxford, on 11 June 1642, matriculating on 1 July.
[1] Joining the presbyterian party, he was summoned to assist the parliamentary visitors of the university in 1648, and was by them created B.C.L.
He was one of the ministers in London who in January 1648–9 signed the Serious and Faithful Representation to General Thomas Fairfax, petitioning for the life of King Charles I and the maintenance of parliament.
[1] Needler published Expository Notes with Practical Observations towards the opening of the five first Chapters of Genesis, London, 1655, and three sermons which are reprinted in editions of Morning Exercises (cf.
[1] On his marriage in 1651 with Marie, sister of Nathanael Culverwell, Needler resigned his fellowship at St. John's College.