Sir Henry Churchill Maxwell Lyte (or Maxwell-Lyte[1]) KCB FBA (29 May 1848 – 28 October 1940) was an English historian and archivist.

He served as Deputy Keeper of the Public Records from 1886 to 1926, and was the author of numerous books including a history of Eton College.

He reformed the clerks' pay structure, began plans for a permanent museum, organised a project to celebrate 800 years since production of the Domesday Book and in 1889 introduced a lift and electric lights in the building.

Despite public opposition, he demolished the Rolls Chapel to make room for an extension along Chancery Lane, incorporating the chancel arch, stained glass and monuments in the museum.

[7] In 1890 Maxwell Lyte went to Rome and drew up the rules for editing a Calendar of Papal Registers, starting with those of Pope Innocent III.

Although personally in favour of giving the public access to documents up to 1860, for later records he recommended that each case be subject to an inquiry about the purpose and extent of the research.

His concern was that the researcher might publish distorted and damaging work based on a biased selection, and could even be in the pay of foreign powers.