Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Coventry, Henry (d.1752)

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COVENTRY, HENRY (d. 1752), miscellaneous writer, a native of Cambridgeshire, born about 1710, was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1729, and was elected to a fellowship, proceeding M.A. in 1733. He was the author of ‘Philemon to Hydaspes, relating a conversation with Hortensius upon the subject of False Religion,’ in five parts, 1736–37–38–41–44, 8vo. Warburton accused Coventry of making unfair use of information, confidentially communicated, which was about to be published in the second volume of the ‘Divine Legation.’ A pamphlet entitled ‘Future Rewards and Punishments believed by the Antients,’ 1740, has been attributed to Coventry, who was also one of the contributors to the ‘Athenian Letters.’ He died 29 Dec. 1752. Cole, who had met him frequently in the society of Conyers Middleton and Horace Walpole, remarks: ‘He used to dress remarkably gay, with much gold lace, had a most prominent Roman nose, and was much of a gentleman.’ The five parts of ‘Philemon to Hydaspes’ were republished in one vol. 1753, by his cousin, Francis Coventry [q. v.]

[Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, iii. 43, v. 564–71, ix. 801; Cole's Athenæ; Walpole's Letters, ed. Cunningham, i. 7.]