LYLE, John, clergyman, born in Rockbridge county, Virginia. 20 October, 1769; died in Paris, Kentucky, 22 July, 1825. He was graduated at Liberty Hall in 1794, and after teaching, studied theology, and was licensed to preach as a Presbyterian in 1797. He was ordained two years later, and in 1800 took charge of the churches of Salem and Sugar Ridge, in Clark county, where he remained several years and opened a school. In May, 1807, he removed to Paris, Kentucky, where he established an academy, at the same time preaching to the churches of Cane Ridge and Concord. About 1810 he withdrew from the academy, as well as from the churches, and soon after began preaching near Cynthiana, Harrison co. He subsequently gave up pastoral work and devoted the rest of his life to missionary labors. Mr. Lyle was a thorough scholar and did much for the cause of education in the west. He was the first to establish schools exclusively for the education of young women, and also the first to suggest the circulation of the scriptures by means of colporteurs. During the religions excitement that began in the southwest in 1800, accompanied by violent physical manifestations, he did all in his power to curb the extravagances of the revival.