(James), archbishop of Armagh, one of the most illustrious prelates in the 17th century, as well with respect to his piety and other virtues, as his uncommon erudition, was born in Dublin in 1580, and it is said that two of his aunts taught him to read, though they were both born blind. Dublin college being finished in 1593, he was one of the three first students admitted into it. He made so swift a progress in his studies, that at 18 years of age he was able to dispute with Henry Fitz-Simon, a famous Jesuit, who challenged all the Protestant clergy; and defended his cause so well in the castle of Dublin, that he made him repent his challenge. He was ordained priest in 1601, and soon after was appointed to preach constantly before the court at Christ-church in Dublin, on Sundays in the afternoon. In 1603, he was sent over to England with Dr Luke Challoner, Challoner, in order to purchase books for the library of Dublin. In 1607, he took the degree of bachelor of divinity; soon after, he was made chancellor of St Patrick's cathedral, and the same year was chosen professor of divinity, when he made choice of Bellarmine's controversies for the subject of his lectures. Some years after, he made it a constant custom to come over to England once in three years, spending one month of the summer at Oxford, another at Cambridge, and the rest of the time at London. In 1612, he took the degree of doctor of divinity; at the latter end of the year 1620, he was promoted to the bishopric of Meath, and in 1625 was made archbishop of Armagh. In the administration of his archbishopric he acted in a very exemplary manner, and endeavoured to reform the clergy and officers in the ecclesiastical courts. In 1640, he came over to England with his family, with an intention soon to return to Ireland; but was prevented by the rebellion which broke out there in 1641; and in that rebellion he was plundered of every thing, except his library, which was in England, and some furniture in his house at Drogheda. His majesty, therefore, conferred on him the bishopric of Carlisle, to be held in commendam: the revenues of which were greatly lessened by the Scots and Irish armies quartering upon it; but when all the lands belonging to the bishoprics in England were seized by the parliament, they voted him a pension of 400l. per annum, though he never received it above once or twice. He afterwards removed to Oxford; and, in 1643, was nominated one of the assembly of divines at Westminster, but refused to fit amongst them; which, together with some of his sermons at Oxford, giving offence to the parliament, they ordered his study of books, of considerable value, to be seized; but by the care of Dr Featly, one of the assembly, they were secured for the primate's use. The king's affairs declined; and Oxford being threatened with a siege, he left that city, and retired to Cardiff in Wales, to the house of Sir Timothy Tyrrel, who had married his only daughter, and was then governor and general of the ordnance. He was afterwards invited to London by the countess of Peterborough. In 1647, he was chosen preacher in Lincoln's-Inn; and during the treaty in the Isle of Wight, he was sent for by the king, who consulted him about the government of the church. The death of his majesty struck him with great horror. The countess of Peterborough's house, where the primate then lived, being just over against Charing Cross, several of her gentlemen and servants went up to the leads of the house, whence they could plainly see what was acting before Whitehall. As soon as his majesty came upon the scaffold, some of the household told the primate of it; and asked him, whether he would see the king once more before he was put to death. He was at first unwilling, but at last went up: where, as the ceremonial advanced, the primate grew more and more affected; and, when the executioners in wizards began to put up the king's hair, he swooned away. He died of a pleurisy in 1655; and was solemnly buried at Westminster, in St Erasmus's chapel. He published. 1. Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. 2. Polycarpis et Ignatii Epistolae, Graece Latinae, &c. 3. Annals of the Old and New Testament, in Latin. 4. De Graecis Septuaginta interpretum Veritatis Syntagma; and many other books which are esteemed. A considerable number of his works still remain in manuscript.

officer or servant who has the care and direction of the door of a court, hall, chamber, or the like.