One of the great Victorian hymn-writers. Born in Ednam (Scottish Borders), Lyte was educated in Enniskillen (Northern Ireland) and Trinity College, Dublin. He was ordained in the Church of England and accepted his first charge in Marazion (Cornwall). In 1823, he moved to Lower Brixham (Devon) where he was to remain for 25 years until shortly before his death.
Lyte published poetry, but is best known for writing the words to several hymns which remain popular today. These include 'Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven' (1834) and the universally-recognised 'Abide With Me' (1847), which Lyte wrote while terminally ill with tuberculosis. He died weeks later in Nice (France) where he lies buried in the English Cemetery.
