Edward Smyth (bishop) facts for kids
Edward Smyth (1665–1720) was an important Irish church leader. He became the bishop of Down and Connor in 1699. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in a Christian church.
Early Life and Education
Edward Smyth was born in Lisburn, County Antrim, in 1665. His father was James Smyth, and his mother was Francisca Dowdall.
He was a very bright student and started studying at Trinity College Dublin in 1678. This is one of Ireland's most famous universities. He earned several degrees there, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1681 and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1684. He even became a "fellow" at the college, which means he was a senior member involved in teaching and research.
Career and Adventures
In 1689, there was political unrest in Dublin. Edward Smyth moved to England for safety. While there, he became a chaplain for a trading company called the Smyrna Company. A chaplain is a religious leader who provides spiritual support, often for a specific group of people like soldiers or, in this case, traders. He worked in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey), which was a major trading hub.
Edward Smyth returned to England in 1693. He then became a chaplain to King William III himself! He even traveled with the King for four years during a war in Europe.
His career continued to grow:
- In 1696, he became the dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. A dean is a senior priest in charge of a cathedral.
- In 1697, he was made the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dublin, helping to lead the university.
- In 1699, he reached a very high position when he became the bishop of Down and Connor.
- In 1701, he joined the Privy Council of Ireland. This was a group of important advisors to the King or Queen in Ireland.
Edward Smyth was also interested in science and learning. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1695. The Royal Society is a famous group in London dedicated to promoting science. He was also a member of the Philosophical Society of Dublin.
He passed away in Bath, Somerset, England, in 1720.
Writings and Interests
Edward Smyth wrote many sermons, which are religious speeches. He also wrote articles for a scientific journal called the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. These articles often shared observations about the customs and ways of life in the Levant, which is the historical name for the eastern Mediterranean region, including places like Turkey and Syria.
Family Life
Edward Smyth was married twice. His first wife was his cousin, Elizabeth Smyth. They had a daughter named Elizabeth. His second wife was Mary Skeffington. With her, he had two sons, Skeffington Randal and James.
