, third son of sir Thomas, and brother to George lord Lyttelton, was
, third son of sir Thomas, and
brother to George lord Lyttelton, was born at Hagley, in
1714. He was educated at Eton-school, and went thence
first to University-college, Oxford, and then to the InnerTemple, where he became a barrister at law; but entering
into orders, was collated by bishop Hough to the rectory
of Alvechurch, in Worcestershire, Aug. 13, 1742. He
took the degree of LL. B. March 28, 1745; LL. D. June
18 the same year; was appointed king’s chaplain in Dec.
1747, dean of Exeter in May 1748, and was consecrated
bishop of Carlisle, March 21, 1762. In 1754 he caused
the cieling and cornices of the chancel of Hagley church
to be ornamented with shields of arms in their proper colours, representing the paternal coats of his ancient and
respectable family. In 1765, on the death of Hugh lord
Willoughby of Parham, he was unanimously elected president of the society of antiquaries; a station in which his
distinguished abilities were eminently displayed. He died
unmarried, Dec. 22, 1768. His merits and good qualities
are universally acknowledged; and those parts of his character which more particularly endeared him to the learned
society over which he so worthily presided, shall be
pointed out in the words of his learned successor dean
Milles: “The study of antiquity, especially that part of
it which relates to the history and constitution of these
kingdoms, was one of his earliest and most favourable pursuits; and he acquired g cat knowledge in it by constant
study and application, to which he was led, not only by his
natural disposition, but also by his state and situation in
life. He took frequent opportunities of improving and enriching this knowledge by judicious observations in the
course of several journies which he made through every
country of England, and through many parts of Scotland
and Wales. The society has reaped the fruits of these
observations in the most valuable papers, which his lordship from time to time has communicated to us; which
are more in number, and not inferior either in merit or importance, to those conveyed to us by other hands. Blest
with a retentive memory, and happy both in the disposition and facility of communicating his knowledge, he was
enabled also to act the part of a judicious commentator
and candid critic, explaining, illustrating, and correcting
from his own observations many of the papers which have
been read at this society. His station and connections in
the world, which necessarily engaged a very considerable
part of his time, did not lessen his attention to the business
and interests of the society. His doors were always open
to his friends, amongst whom none were more welcome
to him than the friends of literature, which he endeavoured
to promote in all its various branches, especially in those
which are the more immediate objects of our attention.
Even this circumstance proved beneficial to the society,
for, if I may be allowed the expression, he was the centre
in which the various informations -on points of antiquity
from the different parts of the kingdom united, and the
medium through which they were conveyed to us. His
literary merit with the society received an additional lustre
from the affability of his temper, the gentleness of his
manners, and the benevolence of his heart, which united
every member of the society in esteem to their head, and
in harmony and friendship with each other. A principle
so essentially necessary to the prosperity and even to the
existence of all communities, especially those which have
arts and literature for their object, that its beneficial effects are visibly to be discerned in the present flourishing
state of our society, which I flatter myself will be long
continued under the influence of the same agreeable principles. I shall conclude this imperfect sketch of a most
worthy character, by observing that the warmth of his affection to the society continued to his latest breath; and
he has given a signal proof of it in the last great act which
a wise man does with resp'ect to his worldly affairs; for,
amongst the many charitable and generous donations contained in his will, he has made a very useful and valuable
bequest of manuscripts and printed books to the society,
as a token of his affection for them, and of his earnest desire to promote those laudable purposes for which they were
instituted.
” The society expressed their gratitude and respect to his memory by a portrait of him engraved at their
expence in 1770.