Henry Martyn (Lesser Festival - 19th October)

Henry Martyn (1781-1812) was an Anglican priest and missionary to the peoples of India and Persia.

He was ordained as a priest in C. of E. and became a chaplain for the East India Company (EIC).

He arrived in India in April 1806 where he preached and occupied himself with linguistics. He translated the whole of the N.T. into Urdu, Persian and Judaeo-Persic He translated the Psalms into Persian and the Book of Common Prayer into Urdu.

He was seized with fever in Tokat in the Ottoman Empire. On October 16th he died.

Henry is remembered for his courage, selflessness and his religious devotion.