Echard, Lawrence Am

Echard, Lawrence A.M., archdeacon of Stowe, was born in Suffolk about 1671, and was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge. He was presented to the livings of Welton and Elkinton, Lincolnshire, and was made archdeacon of Stowe and prebendary of Lincoln in 1712. He died August 16, 1730. In his History of England, written on High-Church principles, he relates facts with perspicuity; and the work is rendered entertaining by short characters of the most eminent literary men in the different periods of history. At present his writings are little valued. His chief works are,

(1) A general Ecclesiastical History, from the Nativity of our Savior to the first Establishment of Christianity by human Laws under Constantine (Lond. 1722 2 vols. 8vo, 6th edit.): —

(2) The Roman History, from the building of the City to the removal of the imperial Seat by Constantine the Great (Lond. 1707, 4 volumes, 8yo): —

(3) The History of England to the end of the Revolution (Lond. 1707- 18, 3 volumes, fol.). — Allibone, Dictionary of Authors, 1:540; Kippis, Biographia Britannica, 5:552.