Byam, Henry, Dd

Byam, Henry, D.D.

a learned English divine, was born at East Luckham, near Dunster, in Somersetshire, Aug. 31, 1580. He was educated at Exeter College and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1612 he obtained the rectory of Luckham and that of Salworthy adjoining. In 1631 he became a prebendary of Exeter, and on the meeting of parliament was unanimously chosen by the clergy of his diocese to be their clerk in convocation. He was a firm adherent of the royal family in the Rebellion, and suffered the loss of all his property on that account. During the exile of the prince Dr. Byam officiated as his chaplain, first in the island of Scilly, and afterwards in that of Jersey, until the 'garrison was captured by Cromwell's forces. At the Restoration he was made canon of Exeter, and prebendary of Wells. He died June 16, 1669. His works consisted of Thirteen Sermons (Lond. 1675), most of them preached before his majesty in his exile. See Chalmers, Biog. Diet. s.v.; Allibone, Diet. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.