John Heylyn

John Heylyn (1685 – 11 August 1759) was an Anglican divine, who had a major influence on religious thought in eighteenth century England. Because of his interest in mysticism he was known as the Mystic Doctor.

Heylyn was the son of John Heylyn, a saddler of London, and his wife Susanna Sherman. The Heylyn family originally came from North Wales. He was born in Westminster and entered Westminster School in 1700. He was admitted at Trinity College, Cambridge on 7 June 1705 and was elected scholar of Trinity. In 1708 he graduated BA. He was ordained priest at London on 18 December 1709. It was recorded by Rud in his 'Diary' that Heylyn "preach'd a very fine sermon" at the archidiaconal visitation of Dr Bewley in December 1710.

Heylyn was living at Turnham Green, Chiswick (then Middlesex, since 1885 part of London) in 1712 and in 1714 became vicar of Haslingfield near Cambridge. He was awarded MA in 1714.

In 1719 he left Haslingfield and served in various parishes in London, where he lived at Henrietta Street Covent Garden and Queen Street Westminster among other places. In 1724 he became the first rector of the rebuilt St Mary-le-Strand, London. In the summer of 1725 he took his family to Geneva, where he left his sons to learn French. In the following year his second son Charles was drowned in the River Rhône in the rapid water where it runs out of Lake Geneva. Heylyn gained a Doctor of Divinity in 1728. He became chaplain in ordinary to George II. In 1729 he was chosen Lecturer of All Hallows Lombard Street. He published many theological works and from his indulgence in mysticism was known as the Mystic Doctor.

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