OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas (d.1633)

​EVANS, THOMAS (d. 1633), poet, was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1612, M.A. in 1616, and B.D. in 1628. He was presented to the rectory of Little Holland, Essex, in 1618, and held that benefice till his death in 1633.
He is the author of one of the rarest poetical works in the English language. It is entitled ‘Œdipus: Three Cantoes. Wherein is contained: 1. His unfortunate Infancy. 2. His execrable Actions. 3. His lamentable End. By T. E. Bach: Art. Cantab.,’ Lond. 1615, 12mo. It is dedicated to John Clapham, one of the six clerks in chancery, and in a preliminary address, ‘savouring much of the academy,’ the author says that it is his ‘first child, but not the heyre of all the fathers wit: there is some laid up to enrich a second brother, to keepe it from accustomed dishonesty, when I shall put it to shift into the world; yet if this prove a griefe to the parent, I will instantly be divorc't from Thalia, and make myself happy in the progeny from a better stocke.’ Each canto contains about six hundred lines, rhyming alternately, and sometimes flowing with ease, but without any originality of invention.
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas (1766-1833)

​EVANS, THOMAS (Tomos Glyn Cothi) (1766–1833), Welsh poet, son of Evan and Hannah Evans, was born at Capel St. Lilin, Carmarthenshire, 20 June 1766. His early education was of the scantiest description, but he was ambitious and perserving. He was fortunate in meeting friends in unexpected quarters, and in getting plenty of books when wanted. The prevailing theology in the neighbourhood was of the most pronounced Calvinistic type, and Evans, while yet very young, became known as a heretic, and was nicknamed ‘Little Priestley.’ In order to worship with friends of like sentiments with himself he used to walk to Alltyplaca, a distance of twelve miles. When he grew up he began to preach in his father's house, a part of which he got licensed for the purpose. In course of time a chapel was built. He was personally much respected, but his liberalism made him suspected by government. He spoke warmly and wrote largely. In 1797 he was at a social meeting, and sang ‘by request’ a Welsh song ‘On Liberty.’ On the information of a spy belonging to his own congregation he was apprehended, tried, and sentenced by Judge Lloyd to be imprisoned for two years and to stand in the pillory. Only one other person suffered in the pillory in this part of the country during the whole of the eighteenth century. He was charged with singing an English song, the fourth stanza of which ran thus—
And when upon the British shore The thundering guns of France shall roar, Vile George shall trembling stand, Or flee his native land With terror and appal, Dance Carmagnol, dance Carmagnol.
He always denied having sung this song. During his imprisonment he met with great sympathy. In 1811 he became minister of the Old Meeting House, Aberdare, where he continued beloved and respected till his death, 29 Jan. 1833.
His first publication was probably a translation of Priestley's ‘Triumph of Truth, being an Account of the Trial of Elwall for publishing a book in Defence of the Unity of God,’ 1793. Altogether he published more than twenty works, most of them theological. In 1795 he issued No. 1 of a quarterly magazine, ‘The Miscellaneous Repository,’ which had to be discontinued with No. 3 for want of sufficient support. In 1809 he published an English-Welsh dictionary (460 pp.), compiled while in prison; in 1811 a hymn-book of a hundred hymns (104 pp.), all original. A second edition appeared in 1822.
R. J. J.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, William (1798-1877)

​EVANS, WILLIAM (1798–1877), water-colour painter, born at Eton on 4 Dec. 1798, was son of Samuel Evans, a landscape-painter of repute, who originally lived in Flintshire, but subsequently came from Wales and settled at Windsor. Here he was selected to teach drawing to the daughters of George III, and eventually became drawing-master at Eton College, where he settled. There are some views of North Wales and Windsor by him which have been engraved. He left Eton about 1818 for Droxford, Hampshire, where he died about 1835.
William Evans was appointed by Dr. Keate drawing-master in his father's place in 1818. He was educated at Eton, and had originally studied medicine, but eventually turned to art, and became a pupil of William Collins, R.A. [q. v.] He was elected an associate of the Old Society of Painters in Water-colours on 11 Feb. 1828, in which year he exhibited drawings of Windsor, Eton, Thames fishermen, Barmouth, and Llanberis, and on 7 June 1830 he was elected a member of the society. He continued to be a constant contributor to their exhibitions. His art was not marked by any great originality, but had much vigour and brilliance about it. He made some large drawings of the Eton ‘Montem,’ which were engraved, and are now in the possession of Lord Braybrooke. Evans continued to teach drawing at Eton until 1837, when his wife died, and he made up his mind to move to London. At that time the oppidans at Eton still continued to be lodged in houses kept by ladies, known as ‘dames,’ a system which was in great need of reform, and which placed the boys under little or no control. It being Dr. Hawtrey's wish to place the boarding-houses under the charge of men connected with the work of the school, the Rev. Thomas Carter, the Rev. Edward Coleridge, and the Rev. George Selwyn (afterwards bishop of New Zealand) persuaded Evans to take one of these houses and retain his former position as drawing-master. This Evans did in 1840, working with great energy. He built the house, the name of which still continues to ​be a household word among Etonians, and the Eton of the present day may be said, to a certain extent, to date from the constitution of Evans's house. Among the most useful reforms introduced by him and Selwyn may be instanced that of ‘passing’ in swimming before a boy is allowed to go upon the river at all. Evans died, after some years' ill-health, at Eton on New Year's eve, 1877. He was succeeded in the post of drawing-master to the school by his son, Samuel T. G. Evans, also a member of the Society of Painters in Water-colours, and in the management of the boarding-house by his daughter, Miss Jane Evans.
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, William (d.1776?)

​EVANS, WILLIAM (d. 1776?), Welsh lexicographer, was educated at Carmarthen College under Dr. Jenkins, 1767–72. He was probably born in Carmarthenshire. His chief claim to notice is based on his English-Welsh dictionary, compiled while he was a student and published in 1771. A second edition appeared in 1812. The greatest living Welsh bibliographer, the Rev. D. S. Evans, B.D., describes it as a very respectable work. He was for some years pastor of the presbyterian congregation at Sherborne, but removed, owing to declining health, to take charge of a congregation at Moreton Hampstead, Devonshire, in 1776, but was only able to retain it a few weeks, and probably died shortly after.
R. J. J.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas (1742-1784)

​EVANS, THOMAS (1742–1784), bookseller, was born in 1742 and served an apprenticeship with Charles Marsh of Round Court and Charing Cross. He opened a shop in the Strand, where he published a quantity of works on English literature and antiquities, generally well printed, and many edited by himself. To these he prefixed dedications to friends and patrons, Garrick, Reynolds, Sheridan, and others. His chief literary undertaking was an excellent collection of old ballads, of which a third edition was brought out by his son. In an advertisement prefixed to Peck's ‘Desiderata Curiosa’ (1779) he submitted a proposal to reprint Tanner's ‘Notitia Monastica,’ afterwards published by Dr. Nasmith. He was a leading member of the booksellers' club in the Grecian Coffee-house, to which Thomas Davies (1712?–1785) [q. v.] belonged. He must not be confounded with his homonym who had the scuffle with Goldsmith, with whom he was on friendly terms. Evans collected the first London edition of the poet's writings. He was full of humour and much sought after for his companionable qualities. He died on 30 April 1784, leaving a widow and a son, Robert Harding Evans [q. v.]
The following are the works written or edited by him: 1. ‘Poems by Mr. W. Shakespeare’ [London, 1774], sm. 8vo. 2. ‘A History of Wales by Caradoc of Lhancarvan. Englished by Dr. Powell,’ London, 1774, 8vo. 3. ‘Memoirs of the Cardinal de Retz, translated,’ London, 1774, 4 vols. sm. 8vo. 4. ‘The Works of Richard Savage,’ London, 1775, 2 vols. sm. 8vo. 5. ‘The Works of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham,’ London, 1775, 2 vols. sm. 8vo. 6. ‘The English, Scotch, and Irish Historical Libraries, by Bishop W. Nicolson, a new edition,’ London, 1776, 4to. 7. ‘A Solemn Declaration of Mr. Daniel Perreau [forger], written by himself,’ London, 1776, 8vo. 8. ‘Desiderata Curiosa, by Francis Peck, new edition,’ London, 1779, 2 vols. 4to. 9. ‘Poetical Works of Matthew Prior,’ London, 1779, 2 vols. 8vo. 10. ‘Poetical and Dramatic Works of O. Goldsmith,’ Lon​don, 1780, 2 vols. sm. 8vo. 11. ‘Old Ballads, Historical and Narrative, with some of Modern Date, now first collected and reprinted from Rare Copies and MSS., with Notes by T. Evans,’ London, 1784, 2 vols. sm. 8vo (first edition, 1777, 2 vols.; third edition, edited by R. H. Evans, 1810, 4 vols. sm. 8vo). 12. ‘The Works of Francis Rabelais, translated,’ London, 1784, 4 vols. sm. 8vo.
H. R. T.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas (1840-1865)

​EVANS, THOMAS (Telynog) (1840–1865), Welsh poet, son of a ship-carpenter, was born at Cardigan in 1840. His early ​education was very rudimentary. At the age of eleven he was apprenticed on board one of the small trading vessels that visited his native town. His treatment was so bad that he determined to run away. He went to Aberdare, and worked in a coal-mine. From here he sent a letter to his mother, written in verse (his first attempt), apprising her of his whereabouts. When about fifteen he devoted his leisure hours to music, and attracted public attention as a singer. Shortly after this he competed successfully at a small eisteddfod, held at the chapel where he was a member, for the best poem on ‘Humility.’ This brought him into public notice, and henceforth his name was constantly in the local papers and in connection with eisteddfodau, where he won no fewer than twenty prizes. All this time he worked as a common collier. His last six years were spent in constant battle first with dyspepsia, and then with consumption. He died 29 April 1865.
His poems were characterised by pathos and pleasantry, and had a charm that always touched his countrymen. His poetical works were collected and arranged by Dafydd Morganwg, and published in 1866, small 8vo (224 pp.), with a brief memoir from the pen of Mr. Howel Williams, eight hundred copies having been subscribed for beforehand.
R. J. J.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas Simpson

​EVANS, THOMAS SIMPSON (1777–1818), mathematician, eldest son of the Rev. Lewis Evans (1755–1827) [q. v.], by his wife, Ann Norman, was baptised in August 1777. He was named after Thomas Simpson, the mathematician. In or about 1797 he appears to have taken charge of a private observatory at Blackheath belonging to William Larkins, formerly accountant-general to the East India Company at Bengal. After the death of Larkins, 24 April 1800 (Gent. Mag. vol. lxx. pt. i. p. 398), he was taken on as an assistant by Nevil Maskelyne [q. v.] at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, but resigned the post in 1805. In that year, or perhaps in 1803, he was appointed mathematical master under his father at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Here he continued until 1810, when he accepted the mastership of the mathematical school at New Charlton, near Woolwich, which office he vacated in 1813 to become master of the mathematics at Christ's Hospital, London. His attainments won for him the degree of LL.D. (from what university is not known) and the fellowship of the Linnean Society. He died 28 Oct. 1818, aged 41 (ib. vol. lxxxviii. pt. ii. p. 475). By his marriage in 1797 to Deborah, daughter of John Mascall of Ashford, Kent, he had five children: Thomas Simpson Evans (1798–1880), vicar of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch; Aspasia Evans (1799–1876), a spinster; Herbert Norman Evans, M.D. (1802–1877), a great book collector; Arthur Benoni Evans (d. 1838); and Lewis Evans (1815–1869), head-master of Sandbach Free Grammar School, Cheshire. Evans left a completed translation of Antonio Cagnoli's ‘Trigonometria piana e sferica,’ besides other translations from foreign scientific works and a vast collection of unfinished papers in several branches of philosophy. He also contributed some articles to the ‘Philosophical Magazine,’ among which may be mentioned ‘Problems on the Reduction of Angles’ (vol. xxviii.); ‘An Abridgment of the Life of Julien Le Roy, the Watchmaker, by his Son’ (vol. xxxi.); ‘A Short Account of Improvements gradually made in determining the Astronomic Refraction’ (vol. xxxvi.); ‘Historical Memoranda respecting Experiments intended to ascertain the Calorific Powers of the different Prismatic Rays’ (vol. xlv.); ‘On the Laws of Terrestrial Magnetism in different Latitudes’ (vol. xlix.). His library was considered one of the most valuable collections of mathematical and philosophical works in the kingdom.
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, William (1811?-1858)

​EVANS, WILLIAM (1811?–1858), landscape-painter, usually known as ‘Evans of Bristol,’ in order to distinguish him from William Evans of Eton [q. v.], was an associate member of the Old Society of Painters in Water-colours, and a native of North Wales. Wishing to perfect his art by the study of nature alone, and to free himself from the influence of schools or individuals, Evans made himself a home for many years in the centre of a grand gorge of mountain scenery in North Wales, at a farm called Tyn-y-Car, in a large park at the junction of the Deddr with the Conway. Here he was able to cultivate a natural impulse for originality and grandeur in the constant contemplation of nature in some of its wildest forms, and he produced some fine works, notably ‘Traeth Mawr;’ his treatment of the mountain torrents and the cottage scenery of the neighbourhood was also remarkable. After 1852 Evans visited Italy, spending the winter successively at Genoa, Rome, and Naples, and he collected numerous materials for working up into landscapes of a very different character from his earlier productions. Unfortunately his work was cut short by illness, and he died in Marylebone Road, London, 7 Dec. 1858, aged forty-nine, according to some accounts, though he is usually stated to have been born in 1811. There is a fine water-colour drawing by him in the print room at the British Museum.
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Thomas (1739-1803)

​EVANS, THOMAS (1739–1803), bookseller, was born in Wales in 1739, and began life in London as a bookseller's porter with a William Johnston of Ludgate Street. By industry and perseverance he became the publisher of the ‘Morning Chronicle’ as well as the ‘London Packet,’ in which was printed the objectionable letter reflecting on Goldsmith and Miss Horneck, the ‘Jessamy bride,’ nine days after the first representation of ‘She stoops to conquer’ in 1773. Goldsmith went to cane Evans in his shop in Paternoster Row, as the person responsible for the article, and got the worst of the encounter. Goldsmith was indicted for an assault, and compromised by paying 50l. to a Welsh charity. Evans took over the extensive business of Messrs. Hawes, Clarke, & Collins, at No. 32 Paternoster Row. He retired some years before his death, and was of rough and eccentric habits. He was separated from his wife owing to her affection for a graceless son, and left the bulk of a large fortune to an old friend, Christopher Brown, formerly assistant to Mr. Longman of Paternoster Row, and father of the Thomas Brown afterwards a member of the famous firm.
Evans died 2 July 1803 at his lodgings in Chapter House Court, at the age of sixty-four, after a short illness. His only son married in 1790 a daughter of the second Archibald Hamilton, and was in business for himself, but deserted his family, went to America, came back, and died in poverty eighteen months before his father (Nichols, Lit. Anecd. v. 712).
H. R. T.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maclaurin, John (1693-1754)

​MACLAURIN, JOHN (1693–1754), presbyterian divine, born in October 1693 at Glendaruel, Argyllshire, was eldest son of John Maclaurin, minister at Kilmodan, and brother of Colin Maclaurin [q. v.] the mathematician. The family is said to have been at one time chiefs of Tiree. His parents died while he was still young, and Maclaurin was brought up by his uncle, Daniel Maclaurin, minister of Kilfinan, Argyllshire. He studied at Glasgow University, where he graduated in 1712, and afterwards studied divinity at Leyden. Returning to Scotland he was ordained, 7 May 1719, to the parish of Luss, Dumbartonshire. Here he remained until January 1723, when he went to the northwest parish of Glasgow. In Glasgow he had special charge of the highlanders, and took a leading part in the attempts then being made all over the country to reform the poor laws and improve social conditions. He was active in the establishment of the Glasgow Town Hospital, which, built in 1733, became a model asylum for the poor and insane. He corresponded with Jonathan Edwards, the American metaphysician, and the help which Edwards obtained from Scotland, while living in poverty after his dismissal from his church at Northampton, Connecticut, was largely owing to Maclaurin's exertions.
In his later years Maclaurin took a keen interest in the affairs of the church, which were disturbed by disputes regarding the appointment of ministers. He was one of the leaders of the party which gradually became the non-intrusionists, and wrote, and engaged others to write, on the controversy. He died in Glasgow on 8 Sept. 1?54.
Maclaurin was twice married: first in 1712 to Lilias, daughter of John Rae, Little Govan, by whom he had nine children, and secondly in 1749 to Margaret, daughter of Patrick Bell, Cowcaddens, who survived him.
He was a famous preacher in his day. Dr. John Brown (1784–1858) [q. v.] calls him 'the most profound and eloquent Scottish theologian of the last century.' After his death some of his manuscripts disappeared, but sermons and essays have been published, including: 1. 'Sermons and Essays,' Glasgow, 1755. Edited and prefixed by a memoir of Maclaurin by his son-in-law, Dr. John Gillies, several times reprinted and enlarged, latest edit. 1860, Edinburgh, 2 vols. 2. 'An Essay on the Prophecies relating to the Messiah,' &c, Edinburgh, 1773, which is said to have suggested to Bishop Hurd his 'Introduction to the Study of the Prophecies,' His sermons were also collected by Dr. John Brown, Glasgow, 1824.
[Hew Scott's Fasti Ecclesiæ, iii. 26, 366 ; Memoir by Dr. Gillies; Fish's Pulpit Eloquence, ii. 244; Brit. Mos. Cat.]
J. R. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maclean, Alexander

Date of death 1904 in the ODNB.
​MACLEAN, ALEXANDER (1840–1877), painter, born in November 1840, was son of David Maclean, a manufacturer at Glasgow. After being educated at Helensburgh and Edinburgh he was placed in business at Glasgow, which he abandoned in 1861. He then adopted the profession of an artist, and studied at Rome, Florence, and Antwerp. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1872. In 1874 he attracted public notice there with his 'Covent Garden Market,' and again in 1876 with 'Looking Back.' This success he followed up in 1877 with 'At the Railings, St. Paul's, Covent Garden.' His health, however, began to fail, and he died on 30 Oct. 1877 at St. Leonards-on-Sea, at the commencement of a very promising career.
[Private information; Royal Academy Catalogues.]
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maclaurin, John (1734-1796)

[Brunton and Haig's Senators of the Royal College of Justice; Books of Sederunt; Scots Mag. lviii. 865; Cat. Advocates' Libr.; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. z. 392, 443, 603, xi. 261, 425; Halkett and Laing's Dict. of Anon. Lit]
J. A. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macleay, Alexander

​MACLEAY, ALEXANDER (1767–1848), entomologist and colonial statesman, born in Ross-shire 24 June 1767, was son of William Macleay, the representative of one of the oldest Scots families, who was provost of Wick and deputy-lieutenant of Caithness. Macleay was educated for a commercial career; but in 1795 became chief clerk in the prisoners-of-war office in London; in 1797 head of the correspondence department of the transport board; and in 1806 secretary of that board. This post he retained until 1818, when the board was abolished and he was pensioned. In 1825, at the solicitation of Earl Bathurst, he became colonial secretary for New South Wales, and he filled the office until 1837. Continuing to reside in the colony, he was chosen in 1843 the first speaker of the Legislative Council, which was then established for the first time. He retired from public life in May 1846. Macleay had become a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1794, and four years later he succeeded Thomas Marsham [q. v.] as secretary, an office that he continued to hold till he left England in 1825. He was elected F.R.S. in 1809, and was also a foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, and a corresponding member of that of Turin. By 1825 he had amassed what was probably the finest private collection of insects then in existence; but, though he prepared a monograph on the genus Paussus, it was never published. Robert Brown spoke of him as 'a practical botanist.' He was the first president of the Australian Museum at Sydney, founded in 1836. Macleay died at Sydney 18 July 1848. There is an oil portrait of him by Lawrence at the Linnean Society's rooms, and his name was given by Robert Brown to the genus Macleaya, belonging to the poppy family. A number of letters from various naturalists to Macleay are in the library of the Linnean Society.
While still young he married a Miss Barclay of Urie, by whom he had a large family. His eldest son, William Sharp, is separately noticed.
His second son, Sir George Macleay (1809-1891}, Australian explorer and statesman, was educated at Westminster. Going out to Australia, he accompanied Sturt in one of his exploring expeditions in South Australia, and, becoming a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, was speaker from 1843 to 1846. On retiring from the council he was created a C.M.G. in 1869, and in 1875 became K.C.M.G. Settling at Pendell Court, Blechingley, Surrey, he devoted his attention to horticulture, but died at Mentone on 24 June 1891. Much foreign travel and wide reading rendered him a very attractive conversationalist, and his friends included the chief men of science of his time, to whom he extended a liberal hospitality. He married twice (Times. 27 June 1891).
His youngest son, James Robert Macleay (1811–1892), of the foreign office, was from 1843 to 1858 secretary and registrar to the mixed British and Portuguese commission at the Cape of Good Hope for the suppression of the slave trade (Times, 31 Oct. 1892).
[Proceedings of the Linnean Society, ii. 46.]
G. S. B.