Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Turberville, Henry (d.1678)
TURBERVILLE, HENRY (d. 1678), Roman catholic controversialist, received his education in the English College at Douai, where he was ordained priest. Although he had no academical degrees, and was never employed as a professor in the college, yet his sound judgment and constant application to books rendered him one of the ablest controversialists of his time. Being sent on the English mission, he acted as chaplain to Henry Somerset, first marquis of Worcester [see under Somerset, Edward, second Marquis], during the civil war, and for some time he served Sir George Blount of Sodington in the same capacity. He is also styled archdeacon of Berkshire. ‘The clergy,’ says Dodd, ‘had a great esteem for him, and consulted him in all matters of moment’ (Church Hist. iii. 302). He died in Holborn, London, on 20 Feb. 1677–8 (Palatine Note-book, iii. 104, 175).
His works are: 1. ‘An Abridgment of Christian Doctrine, catechistically explained by way of question and answer. By H. T.’ [Douai], 1649, 1671, and 1676, 8vo; Basle, 1680, 12mo; London, 1734 and 1788, 12mo; Belfast, 1821, 12mo; revised by James Doyle, D.D., Dublin, 1827 and 1828, 16mo. 2. ‘A Manuel of Controversies; clearly demonstrating the truth of Catholique Religion, by texts of Holy Scripture, &c., and fully answering the objections of Protestants and all other Sectaries,’ Douai, 1654 and 1671, 8vo; London, 1686, 12mo. This elicited replies from John Tombes, Henry Hammond, and William Thomas, bishop of Worcester.
[Dodd's Certamen utriusque Ecclesiæ; Jones's Popery Tracts, p. 485; Tablet, 13 March 1886, p. 419; Bodleian Cat.]