AL'FORD, REY. HENRY, D.D. a biblical critic of the highest reputation, and also a poet of considerable genius, was born in London in 1810, but was educated first at Ilminster grammar-school in Somersetshire, and finally at Trinity college, Cambridge, where he took his degree, and entered the church. His first volume, published at Cambridge in 1831, was entitled Poems and Political Fragments. Three years afterwards, the young author was elected a fellow of Trinity, and in the following year, 1835, appeared his most popular work, The School of the Heart, and other Poems, which has been frequently reissued, especially in America. About the same time A. was appointed vicar of Wymeswold, Leicestershire, where he remained till 1853, gradually enlarging the circle of his studies, and obtaining fresh honors. In 1841 he published Chapters on the Greek Poets, which exhibit both purity of taste and breadth of scholarship. In 1844, appeared
the first volume of his magnum opus, the Greek Testament, with notes and various readings ; the second was not published till 1852. In 1853, he was removed to Quebec street chapel, London, where he continued to maintain his high reputation as a sound and eloquent preacher, until, in 1857, he was appointed dean of Canterbury by lord Palmerston. A.'s poetry is characterized not so much by depth or originality as by freedom from affectation, obscurity, or bombast. His Greek Testament, which was com pleted in 1861, occupies the first rank among English editions. Among his latest writings was A Plea for the Queen's English, which excited considerable discussion. He also published several volumes of sermons. He d. Jan. 12, 1871. See Life, Letters, etc., 1873.