Mather Byles

Mather Byles (born 26 March 1706 – 5 July 1788) was an American clergyman active in British North America.

He graduated at Harvard University in 1725, received his A.M. degree there in 1728 and in 1733 he became pastor of the Hollis Street Church (Congregational), Boston.

Byles held a high rank among the clergy of the province and was noted for his scholarly and well-written sermons, as well as his ready wit.

In 1773, he was chosen to be one of the eminent Boston literary intellectuals to examine Phillis Wheatley in order to determine if the black woman was actually the author of a proposed book of poems.

)[2] At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Byles was outspoken in his advocacy of the royal cause, and after the British evacuation of Boston his connection with his church was dissolved.