Smith, Miles

Smith, Miles, an English prelate, was born in the city of Hereford, and about 1568 entered Corpus Christi College, Oxford, but graduated at Brasenose. He afterwards became one of the chaplains or petty canons of Christ Church, where he took his bachelor of divinity degree. In due course he was preferred to the office of residentiary of Hereford Cathedral, was created doctor of divinity in 1594, and on Sept. 20, 1612, became bishop of Gloucester. His knowledge of the Oriental languages was so extraordinary that he was employed by James I upon the translation of the Bible. He began with the first, and was the last man engaged upon that work, having also written the preface. For this service he was appointed bishop of Gloucester, and had leave to hold in commendam his former livings, viz. the prebend of Hinton in the Church of Hereford; the rectories of Upton- upon-Severn and Hartlebury, in the diocese of Worcester; and the first portion of Ledbury, called Overhall. According to Willis, he died Oct. 20, but Wood says in the beginning of November, 1624, and was buried in his own cathedral. His published works are, Sermons (Lond. 1632, fol.): — Sermon (published without his consent by Robert Burhill, 1602). He was the editor of bishop Babington's works, to which he prefixed a preface. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Darling, Cyclop. Bibliog. s.v.; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.