Nicholas Brady

1659-1726. Irish clergyman. Born in County Cork, he was educated at Westminster School; Christ's College, Oxford; and Trinity College, Dublin. After ordination he became prebendary of Cork in 1688. He was a staunch supporter of the Prince of Orange in 1690, and after James II had ordered the destruction of his hometown of Bandon, Brady was successful on three occasions in preventing its burning. Returning to England, he presented the grievances of the people of Bandon to Parliament. Later he held various livings in London, translated the classics (Virgil, etc.), was chaplain to royalty, and with Nahum Tate* wrote a metrical version of the Psalms which was in constant use until about 1800. Parts of this are still to be found in modern hymnbooks (e.g., “As pants the heart” and “Through all the changing scenes of life”). Many of his sermons were published.