John Lynch

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(b. Dec. 5, 1697, Staple, Kent – d. 1760, Canterbury, Kent )

Gender: M

John Lynch (1697-1760) was Dean of Canterbury from 1734-1760. He was the son of John Lynch (d. 1733) and his wife, Sarah. He was ordained deacon in 1721, and in 1723 his patron, Archbishop William Wake, appointed him to the Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral and as rector of All Hallows, Bread Street, London. He was rector of Sundridge (Kent) from 1725-1733 and a Chaplain to the King from 1727-1734. He married the archbishop’s daughter, Mary, in 1728 and quickly received further preferment, including appointment as Master of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester, Rector of All Hallows the Great in London, Rector of Ickham, Kent, Rector of Eynesford, Kent, Rector of Bishopsbourne, Kent, Master of Harbledown Hospital, Canterbury, and Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral (1735–60). On the death of Elias Sydall, he was appointed Dean of Canterbury. There were contemporary criticisms of “pluralists” (clergy who held multiple livings simultaneously), and Dean Lynch was held up as a particularly egregious example. He had two sons who died without issue, and several daughters. All his children died before 1785, with the exception of his younger son, who was Archdeacon and Prebend of Canterbury.

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