Henry Martyn

Date of Birth: February 18, 1781

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 16, 1812

Biography

Henry Martyn was an English Anglican missionary and translator, born on February 18, 1781, in Truro, Cornwall, England. He is best known for his pioneering work in translating the New Testament into several languages, including Persian, Urdu, and Arabic. Martyn attended St John’s College, Cambridge, where he excelled academically, winning numerous prizes in mathematics. However, his life took a spiritual turn after being influenced by Charles Simeon, a prominent evangelical clergyman. In 1805, Martyn was ordained as a priest and shortly thereafter, he decided to dedicate his life to missionary work. He first served as a chaplain to the British East India Company in India, where he began his translation work. Despite facing numerous health challenges and cultural barriers, Martyn’s commitment to his mission never wavered. He later traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran) and continued his translation efforts. Henry Martyn’s dedication to spreading the Christian faith through linguistic scholarship left an enduring legacy. His translations played a crucial role in making the Christian scriptures accessible to non-English-speaking populations in Asia. Martyn’s life, though short, was marked by profound spiritual devotion, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to intercultural dialogue.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Martyn

1. Henry Martyn translated the New Testament into Persian, Urdu, and Arabic, significantly contributing to Christian missionary efforts.

2. He was awarded the first Smith’s Prize for his achievements in mathematics while at Cambridge.

3. Martyn was heavily influenced by Charles Simeon, who helped shape his evangelical zeal and commitment to missionary work.

4. Despite his frail health, Martyn traveled extensively, enduring harsh climates and difficult conditions to fulfill his missionary calling.

5. His translation of the New Testament into Persian is considered a milestone in the history of biblical translations and had a lasting impact on Christian missions in the region.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Martyn

1. “Let me burn out for God.”

2. “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”

3. “If God has work for me to do, I cannot die.”

4. “I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me.”

5. “The knowledge of Christ is the most excellent of sciences.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henry Martyn’s life was not one of financial accumulation but rather of spiritual and intellectual contributions. His net worth in monetary terms was negligible, as his focus was entirely on missionary work and translation efforts.