Henry Francis Lyte 1793-1847 Henry Francis Lyte Lyte worked hard and in 1809 he won a scholarship to Trinity Henry Lyte’s health was born in ‘The College, Dublin where he studied Divinity. He was a brilliant had been poor for Cottage’ in Ednam scholar, and was also emerging as a talented poet winning many years and he on 1st June 1793, the Chancellor’s prize for English verse three years in a row. developed what the second son of He graduated in 1814. The following year he was ordained in those days was Captain Thomas as a clergyman in the Episcopalian Church. He served first called consumption Lyte of the Royal as Curate at Taghmon in Ireland but his health was fragile - – we would call Marines and his he suffered for much of his life from lung trouble - and after it tuberculosis. wife Anna Maria a holiday in France and Italy for his health, he took up a post Following a serious Oliver. The family at Marazion in the gentler climate of Cornwall. It was here illness in 1839 he lived for a number that he met his wife Anne Maxwell, daughter of a fellow was ordered by his Plaque at Ednam years in Ednam, churchman and they married in 1818. doctor to rest. He but Captain Lyte spent several winters abroad for the sake of his health but was drafted to In 1823 he became the curate of Brixham where he was a in 1847, on 20th November, he died at Nice in the south Ireland after the much loved minister for many years until his final illness. of France. Just before his departure from Britain he had rebellion in 1798 He worked hard, writing many hymns, prayers for the use started work on his greatest hymn Abide with me!. The and the rest of the Henry Francis Lyte of sailors, metrical versions of the Psalms, and books of final version was sent home from Avignon, shortly before his family followed Picture courtesy www.portoraroyal.co.uk mainly religious poetry. Some of his most famous works death. Since 1927 it has been sung every year at the F.A. soon after. Here were Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven, based on Psalm cup final at Wembley Stadium. Henry and his older brother Thomas were entered as pupils 103, God of Mercy, God of Grace, based on Psalm 67 and at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. However, soon of course the famous hymn Abide with me! which he wrote Although he never returned to Scotland, Lyte never after this the family broke up. Captain Lyte abandoned during his last illness. forgot his early childhood in Ednam. A plaque in Ednam his family and went to Jersey. His churchyard commemorates his life. wife and her youngest child George moved to London where they both soon died. What became of older Abide With Me brother Thomas is uncertain. What Abide with me; is clear is that at the age of nine, Fast falls the eventide. Henry found himself alone without a The darkness deepens, family to support him. Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail Fortunately the headmaster of And comforts flee, Portora, Dr Robert Burrows, took Help of the helpless, pity on the young orphan. He Oh, abide with me. recognised that Henry was a very able boy and took charge of him effectively adopting him, taking him into his family and paying for his continuing education at Portora. Ednam 24.