Nicholas Brady (poet) facts for kids
Nicholas Brady (born October 28, 1659 – died May 20, 1726) was an Irish church leader and a talented poet. He was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland. Nicholas was the second son of Major Nicholas Brady and Martha Gernon. He came from a family with a strong background, as his great-grandfather, Hugh Brady, was the first Protestant Bishop of Meath.
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Early Life and Education
Nicholas Brady went to school at Westminster School in London. Later, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university. He also earned several degrees from Trinity College, Dublin, showing he was a dedicated student. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1685, followed by his Master of Arts in 1686. Later, he earned degrees in Divinity in 1699.
A Supporter of Change
Nicholas Brady was a strong supporter of the Glorious Revolution. This was a major event in England in 1688 when King James II was replaced by King William III and Queen Mary II. Brady faced difficulties because of his beliefs.
Protecting His Hometown
During the Williamite War in Ireland in 1690, King James II ordered the town of Bandon to be burned down. Nicholas Brady used his influence to stop this from happening, not just once, but three times! This shows how much he cared for his community. The people of Bandon later asked him to present their concerns to the English parliament.
Life and Work in London
Soon after, Nicholas Brady moved to London. There, he took on various important roles in the church. By the time he passed away, he was serving as a church leader in Clapham and Richmond.
Famous Writings
Brady is best known for his work with his friend Nahum Tate. Together, they created a new version of the Psalms, which are ancient songs or poems from the Bible. This book was called New Version of the Psalms of David. It was approved in 1696 and became very popular, replacing an older version.
He also wrote an ode called Hail! Bright Cecilia in 1692. An ode is a type of poem written to praise someone or something. This ode honored Saint Cecilia, who is known as the patron saint of musicians. The famous composer Henry Purcell later set Brady's ode to music in 1697. Like another famous poet, John Dryden, Brady also translated parts of Virgil's Aeneid, an ancient Roman epic poem. He wrote other poems, plays, and sermons too.
Family Life
Nicholas Brady married Letitia Synge. They had a large family with four sons and four daughters. One of his notable descendants was Maziere Brady, who became a very important judge in Ireland, known as the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
