William Rowe Lyall
Encyclopedia
William Rowe Lyall was an English churchman, Dean of Canterbury
from 1845 to 1857.
(M.A. 1816). In 1817 he married Catherine Brandreth (1792–1863), daughter of Dr. Brandreth of Liverpool. Lyall was Editor of the British Critic 1816-17; a Member of the Hackney Phalanx, the high-church equivalent of the Clapham Sect, and became Editor of the Theological Library (1832–46). He had a keen interest in philosophical criticism, and early recognized the Catholic tendency in Newman's writing. His principal literary work was Propaedia Prophetica, a View of the Use and Design of the Old Testament (1840). Lyall's abilities and potential came to the attention of Bishop Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the most influential religious figures in Victorian England. Howley took Lyall under his wing at Lambeth Palace, shaping his career and destiny.
Lyall became Archdeacon of Colchester (1824–1842), Archdeacon of Maidstone (1842–1845), simultaneously Canon of the Ninth Prebend, Canterbury Cathedral
(1841–1845), and finally Dean of Canterbury
(1845–1857). He died at Canterbury, Kent. There is a monumental tomb i8n the north aisle of the nave at Cathedral, said to be designed after a model by the sculptor John Birnie Philip
(1824–1875), but his remains are in fact buried at the parish church of St Michael in the nearby village of Harbledown, alongside his wife's. Lyall's career is described by Clive Dewey.
Further Information: DNB; Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 1541-1857.
, albeit anonymously. His major published work was Propaedia Prophetica (Preparation of Prophesy), in 1840. It was re-published in 1854 and again posthumously in 1885, this time with a preface by his nephew George C. Pearson. He also contributed to the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana
, an ambitious enterprise to disseminate knowledge. He was invited to write sections of the History Division, in particular: History of Greece, Macedonia and Syria. Co-authors of this work were Jacob Henry Brooke Mountain, George Cecil Renouard
, E. Pococke and Michael Russell
.
. One of his famous nephews was Alfred Comyn Lyall
, the Indian civil servant (1835–1911). Another was James Broadwood Lyall
(1838–1916), also an Indian civil servant, who became Governor of the Punjab.
Dean of Canterbury
The Dean of Canterbury is the head of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Christ Church, Canterbury, England. The office of dean originated after the English Reformation, and its precursor office was the prior of the cathedral-monastery...
from 1845 to 1857.
Life
He was born in Stepney, Middlesex, the fifth son of John Lyall and Jane Comyns. He was educated at Trinity College, CambridgeTrinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
(M.A. 1816). In 1817 he married Catherine Brandreth (1792–1863), daughter of Dr. Brandreth of Liverpool. Lyall was Editor of the British Critic 1816-17; a Member of the Hackney Phalanx, the high-church equivalent of the Clapham Sect, and became Editor of the Theological Library (1832–46). He had a keen interest in philosophical criticism, and early recognized the Catholic tendency in Newman's writing. His principal literary work was Propaedia Prophetica, a View of the Use and Design of the Old Testament (1840). Lyall's abilities and potential came to the attention of Bishop Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the most influential religious figures in Victorian England. Howley took Lyall under his wing at Lambeth Palace, shaping his career and destiny.
Lyall became Archdeacon of Colchester (1824–1842), Archdeacon of Maidstone (1842–1845), simultaneously Canon of the Ninth Prebend, Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
(1841–1845), and finally Dean of Canterbury
Dean of Canterbury
The Dean of Canterbury is the head of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Christ Church, Canterbury, England. The office of dean originated after the English Reformation, and its precursor office was the prior of the cathedral-monastery...
(1845–1857). He died at Canterbury, Kent. There is a monumental tomb i8n the north aisle of the nave at Cathedral, said to be designed after a model by the sculptor John Birnie Philip
John Birnie Philip
.John Birnie Philip was a notable English sculptor of the 19th century.He studied at the Government School of Design at Somerset House in London under John Rogers Herbert, and then at Herbert's own newly opened school in Maddox Street. He worked in Pugin's wood carving workshop at the Palace of...
(1824–1875), but his remains are in fact buried at the parish church of St Michael in the nearby village of Harbledown, alongside his wife's. Lyall's career is described by Clive Dewey.
Further Information: DNB; Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 1541-1857.
Literary works
He wrote a number of dissertations on religious topics, and was a regular contributor to the Quarterly ReviewQuarterly Review
The Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
, albeit anonymously. His major published work was Propaedia Prophetica (Preparation of Prophesy), in 1840. It was re-published in 1854 and again posthumously in 1885, this time with a preface by his nephew George C. Pearson. He also contributed to the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana
Encyclopaedia Metropolitana
The Encyclopædia Metropolitana was an encyclopedic work published in London, from 1817 to 1845, by part publication. In all it came to quarto, 30 vols., having been issued in 59 parts .-Origins:...
, an ambitious enterprise to disseminate knowledge. He was invited to write sections of the History Division, in particular: History of Greece, Macedonia and Syria. Co-authors of this work were Jacob Henry Brooke Mountain, George Cecil Renouard
George Cecil Renouard
George Cecil Renouard was an English classical and oriental scholar.-Biography:Renouard, born at Stamford, Lincolnshire, on 7 September 1780, was the youngest son of Peter Renouard George Cecil Renouard (7 September 1780–15 February 1867) was an English classical and oriental...
, E. Pococke and Michael Russell
Michael Russell
Michael William Russell, is a Scottish National Party politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Argyll and Bute constituency...
.
Family
His eldest brother was George Lyall, Snr, sometime MP for London, and Chairman of the East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. One of his famous nephews was Alfred Comyn Lyall
Alfred Comyn Lyall
Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall, GCIE, KCB was a British civil servant, literary historian and poet.-Early life:He was born at Coulsdon in Surrey, the second son of Alfred Lyall and Mary Drummond Broadwood, daughter of James Shudi Broadwood. He was educated at Eton...
, the Indian civil servant (1835–1911). Another was James Broadwood Lyall
James Broadwood Lyall
Sir James Broadwood Lyall KCSI, GCIE. was an administrator in the Indian Civil Service of the British Raj period. Between 1887 and 1892 he was Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab. He was a younger brother of Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall....
(1838–1916), also an Indian civil servant, who became Governor of the Punjab.