Coverdale, Miles

Miles (1488-1568), an English bishop and reformer. He was educated at Cambridge and was ordained a priest at Norwich in 1514. He was led to embrace the reformed doctrines. In 1535 he published a translation of the Scriptures, dedicated to Henry VIII. This was the first printed version of the entire Bible. He went to France and was engaged in superintending the printing of a revised English version, when interrupted by the ecclesiastical authorities, who seized and destroyed the greater part of the impressions already completed. The types and presses were taken to England and enabled Cranmer's Bible, called the Great Bible, to be printed. Coverdale was made bishop of Exeter during the reign of Edward VI; but, on the accession of Mary, he was ejected and thrown into prison. After two years he was liberated and went abroad, where he assisted in preparing the Geneva Bible. His writings are numerous.