USSHER, JAMES, was born at Dublin 4th January 1580, and was educated at Trinity College, of which he was one of the first three scholars ma triculated. In 16or he was ordained ; in 1603 he became chancellor of St. Patrick's ; and soon after professor of divinity at the University ; in 1619 he was made Bishop of Meath ; and in 1624 he be carne Archbishop of Armagh and Primate. During the troubles arising out of the war between Charles I. and the Parliament, Ussher had to leave Ireland, and was subjected to much hardship, his property being seized, and his revenues distrained. He ob tained the see of Carlisle (in contmendam), but from that but little emolument accrued to him. He afterwards became preacher at Lincoln's Inn, and was one of the six divines allowed by Parliament to confer with Charles at Carisbrook. His later years were spent in the family of Lady Peter borough at Reigate, where he died 21st March 1656. Ussher was a laborious student, and amassed vast learning. His Annales Vet. et Novi Test. fol. 165°
54, established his fame as a scholar and a chrono logist, and fixed the Biblical chronology which has since been generally followed in this country, and which is adopted in the A. V. He wrote also De Graca LXX. versione Syntagma ; Epistola ad L. Capethem de variis Text. Heb. lectionzbus 1652; Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Ant/pilafs, fol. 1639, enlarged ed. 1677 ; and a multitude of works on the ecclesiastical controversies of the day, and on some questions in theology. His library, for which he collected books and MSS. from all quarters, was, after his death, presented to the Dublin Uni versity, where it remains. He succeeded in ob taining six copies of the Samaritan Pentateuch and several MSS. of the Syriac version. His collected works have been edited by Dr. Elrington in 16 vols. 8vo, 1847, with a life of the author.—W. L. A.