Synge, Edward

Synge, Edward an Irish prelate, was born at Inishonane, April 6, 1659, and was the second son of Edward, bishop of Cork. He was educated at the grammar-school at Cork, and at Christ Church, Oxford, finishing his studies in the University of Dublin. His first preferment was to two small parishes in the dioces3 of Meath, which he exchanged for the vicarage of Christ Church, Cork, where he served for over twenty years. In 1699 he was offered the deanery of Derry, but declined it for his mother's sake. He was chosen proctor for the chapter in the Convocation of 1703, and soon after was presented with the crown's title td the deaneryof St. Patrick's, Dublin. The title being thought defective, the chancellorship was presented to Mr. Synge, which gave him the care of St. Werburgll's, Dublin. In 1713 he was chosen proctor for the chapterof St. Patrick's, and on Dr. Sterne's promotion to the see of Dromore, the archbishop of Dublin appointed Dr. Stnge his vicargeneral, in which office he continued until he was appointed bishop of Raphoe, in 1714. He was made archbishop of Tuam in 1716, over which see he presided until his death, July 21, 1741. He published many sermons and religious tracts, of which a collective edition, under the title of Works (Lond. 1740, 4 vols. 12mo; 1744, 1759), was issued. The best- known of his works is The Gentleman's Religion.His Treatise on the Holy Conmmunions was published at Philadelphia in 1849, 32mo. See Allibone, Dict. of. Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.