Henry Hyde

Henry Hyde (circa 1563 – 29 September 1634) was an English lawyer and Member of Parliament. He was born around the year 1563, the son of Lawrence Hyde I (d. 1590), who served as a Member of Parliament, and his wife Anne Sybill. Hyde's family was notable, with his brothers Sir Nicholas Hyde (c. 1572 – 1631) becoming Lord Chief Justice of England from 1627 to 1631, and Lawrence Hyde II (1562–1641), who served as attorney-general to Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James I.

Henry Hyde attended Magdalen College, Oxford, beginning his studies in 1579 at the age of 16 when he entered Magdalen Hall. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1581 and was awarded a Master of Arts in 1584. Subsequently, Hyde entered the Middle Temple, where he trained as a lawyer and practiced law.

He served as a Member of Parliament representing Ludgershall during the parliament of 1588–1589 and for Old Sarum in 1601.

Hyde is remembered through the characterizations of his son, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–1674), who expressed great reverence for his father. Clarendon wrote that he regarded his father's memory highly and considered his relationship with him to have been more valuable than any of his subsequent honours. Clarendon also described Hyde as a kindly, good-humored country gentleman concerned with the welfare of the poor, a trait he believed was not common among his social class at the time.

In his personal life, Henry Hyde married Mary Langford on 3 April 1597. Mary was the daughter of Edward Langford and Mary St. Barbe. Together, they had several children:

- Anne Hyde (c. 1598 – ?), also known as Jane Silverster

- Elizabeth Hyde

- Lawrence Hyde (born 1600 – ?)

- Henry Hyde (1601–1627)

- Mary Hyde (born 1603 – ?)

- Sibble Hyde (1605– ?)

- Susan Hyde (c. 1607 – 1656), who served as a spy for Charles II during his exile in France

- Edward Hyde (1609–1674), who became the 1st Earl of Clarendon and served as Lord Chancellor of England under King Charles II

- Nicholas Hyde (1610–1611)

Henry Hyde lived in Dinton and later in Purton, both localities in Wiltshire, England, until his death on 29 September 1634.