Lhuyd, Humphrey

, a learned English antiquary in the sixteenth century, was son and heir of Mr. Robert Lhwyd alias Rossenhall of Denbigh in Denbighshire, by Joan his wife, daughter of Lewis Pigott. He was born at Denbigh, and was educated in the university of Oxford; but in what college is not known. It is certain, however, that after he had taken the degree of bachelor of arts, which was in 1547, he was commoner of Brasen-nose college; and in 1551 took the degree of master of arts as a member of that college; at which time he studied physic. Afterwards retiring to his own country, he lived mostly within the walls of Denbigh castle, but, Granger thinks, never practised as a physician, employing his time chiefly in his antiquarian researches. He died about 1570, and was interred near the church of Whitchurch near Denbigh; where a monument was erected to him. He had married Barbara daughter of George Lmnley, and sister of John lord Lumley, by whom he had issue Splendian and John, who both died without issue, Henry, who lived at Cheam in Surrey, and Jane the wife of Rob. Coytmore. Camden gives him a very great character, as one of the best antiquaries of his time; and be is by Daines Barrington esteemed very accurate in what relates to the history of Wales. He had a taste for the arts, particularly music, and executed the map of England for the “Theatrum Orbis.” He collected a great number of curious and useful books for his brother-in-law lord Lumley, which were purchased by James I. and became the foundation of the royal library. They are now a very valuable part of the British Museum.

His writings are, 1. “An Almanack and Kalendar; containing the day, hour, and minute, of the change of the moon for ever,” &c. 8vo. 2. “Commentarioli Britannicae Descriptionis Fragmentuni. Colon. Agrip.” 1572: of which a new edition was published by Mr. Moses Williams, under the title of “Humfredi Lhwyd, Armigeri, Britannicie Descriptionis Comrnentariolum: necnon de Monfi Insula, & Britannica Arce sive Armamentario Romano Disceptatio Epistolaris. Accedunt^raa Cambro-Britannicae. Accurante Mose Gulielmo, A.M. R. S. Soc.” Lond. 1731, 4to. Thi? was translated into English by Tho. Twyne, who entitled it, “The Breviary of Britain,” Lond. 1753, 8vo. 3. “De JVionfi Druidum Insula, Antiquitati sine restitutfi;” in a letter to Abraham Ortelius, April 5, 1568. 4. “De | mentario Romano.” These two last are printed at the end of “Historic Britannicae Defensio; written by sir John Price,” Lond. 1573, 4to. 5. “Chronicon Wallisr, a Rege Cadtvalladero, usque ad Ann. Dom. 1294,” ms. in the Cottontail library. 6. “The History of Cambria, now called Wales, from Caradoc of Lancarvan, the Registers of Con­^ray and Stratflnr; with a Continuation, chiefly extracted from Mat. Paris, Nic. Trivet, &c.” He died before this was quite finished; but sir Henry Sidney, lord -president of Wales, having procured a copy of it, employed Dr. David Powel to prepare it for the press, who published it under this title: “The Historic of Cambria, now called Wales; a part of the most famous yland of Britaine; written in the Brytish language above two hundred years past; translated into English by H. Lloyd, gent, corrected, augmented, and continued out of Records and best approved Authors,” Lond. 1584, 4to. Our author translated also, 7. “The Treasure of Health; containing many profitable Medicines, written by Peter Hispanus.” To which were added, “The Causes and Signs of every Disease, with the Aphorisms of Hippocrates,” Lond. 1585. And 8. “The Judgment of Urines,” Lond. 1551, 8vo.¹