Samuel Dyer (translator)

Samuel Dyer (1725–1772) was an English translator.

Life

Dyer was the son of a jeweller in the

, where he matriculated 16 September 1743 and stayed two years. He returned to England a classical scholar and mathematician, knowing French, Italian, and Hebrew, and a student of philosophy. He refused, however, to become a minister, or to take to any regular work, preferring to spend his time in literary society.

He was an original member of the

.

In 1761 he was elected a

, to whom he later became close. Chamier, another member, obtained for Dyer an appointment in connection with the war office.

By the death of his mother and brother Dyer came into possession of £8,000, which he invested in East India Company stock, wishing to become a director. Failing in this, he speculated disastrously, at the suggestion of Johnson, in annuities on the estate of Ralph Verney, 2nd Earl Verney. Immediately after his loss he was seized with an attack of quinsy, from which he died 15 September 1772. It was hinted that he had committed suicide. The money he left was insufficient to pay for his funeral.

Reputation

According to Sir John Hawkins, Dyer wilfully neglected the opportunities of his life, and was by his own choice and determination a sensualist of the worst type.

agreed that it was a misrepresentation. Burke wrote the following notice of Dyer in one of the London papers:

He was a man of profound and general erudition, and his sagacity and judgment were fully equal to the extent of his learning. His mind was candid, sincere, and benevolent, his friendship disinterested and unalterable. The modest simplicity and sweetness of his manners rendered his conversation as amiable as it was instructive, and endeared him to those few who had the happiness of knowing intimately that valuable and unostentatious man.

destroying a large quantity of manuscript. On Reynolds asking for an explanation, Burke answered that the papers were of great importance to himself, and of none to anybody else.

References

• "Dyer, Samuel" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Dyer, Samuel". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

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