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# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, John (d.1620)

​CRAIG, JOHN, M.D. (d. 1620), physician, third son of Sir Thomas Craig [q. v.], the eminent lawyer, was born in Scotland, graduated M.D. at Basle, settled in his native country, and became first physician to James VI, whom he accompanied to this country on that monarch's accession to the throne of England as James I. In 1604 he was admitted a member of the College of Physicians of London. He was incorporated M.D. at Oxford 30 Aug. 1605; was named an elect of the College of Physicians on 11 Dec. the same year; was consiliarius in 1609 and 1617; and died before 10 April 1620, when Dr. Argent was chosen an elect in his place.
He was the author of 'Capnuraniae seu Comet, in Aethera Sublimatio,' a manuscript addressed to his friend Tycho Brahe. Some of his letters to that famous astronomer are printed in Rudolf August Nolten's 'Commercium litterarium clarorum virorum,' 2 vols. Brunswick, 1737-8.
Craig is generally believed to have been the person who gave John Napier of Merchiston the first hint which led to his great discovery of logarithms. Wood states that 'one Dr. Craig . . . coming out of Denmark into his own country called upon John Neper, baron of Murcheston, near Edinburgh, and told him, among other discourses, of a new invention in Denmark (by Logomontanus, as 'tis said) to save the tedious multiplication and division in astronomical calculations. Neper being solicitous to know farther of him concerning this matter, he could give no other account of it than that it was by proportionable numbers. Which hint Neper taking he desired him at his return to call upon him again. Craig, after some weeks ​had passed, did so, and Neper then shew'd him a rude draft that he called "Canon mirabilis Logarithmorum,"' which, with some alterations, appeared in 1614. There seems, however, to be no foundation in fact for this oft-repeated story. It is a remarkable circumstance, not generally known, that Napier himself informed Tycho Brahe of his discovery twenty years before it was made public.
His son, James Craig, M.D., became a fellow of the College of Physicians, and physician to James I and to his successor Charles I, both before and subsequently to his accession to the throne. He died in January 1614-5, and was buried in the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Craig attended James I in his last illness, and gave great offence at court by giving free expression to his opinion that his royal patient had been poisoned.
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, William Marshall

​CRAIG, WILLIAM MARSHALL (fl. 1788–1828), miniature-painter, said to have been a nephew of Thomson the poet, ​was drawing-master to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, miniature-painter to the Duke and Duchess of York, and painter in water-colours to the queen. As early as 1788 he exhibited at the Academy, being then resident at Manchester. In 1791, when he exhibited two figure subjects, he had settled in London. In 1792 he began as a miniature and portrait painter, varying this by occasional rustic figures, landscapes, and domestic scenes. He contributed little after 1821, and ceased to exhibit altogether in 1827. In the first quarter of the century he shared with John Thurston the honour of being one of the principal designers on wood; and many of the popular engravers, e.g. Thomas Bewick, Luke Clennell, Charlton Nesbit, Branston, Austin, Hole, Lee, worked for a commonplace ‘Scripture Illustrated,’ which he put forth in 1806. He also made most of the drawings for the ‘British Gallery of Pictures,’ 1808. Others of his works were ‘An Essay on the Study of Nature in drawing Landscape,’ 1793; ‘The Complete Instructor in Drawing,’ 1806; ‘The Sports of Love,’ in six etchings [1807]; ‘Lectures on Drawing, Painting, and Engraving,’ delivered at the Royal Institution, 1821; and ‘A Wreath for the Brow of Youth,’ a book said to have been written for the Princess Charlotte. From the second edition of this, which is dated 1828, Craig must have been living in that year. He was a mediocre illustrator; but his water-colours are skilfully finished. One of them, ‘The Wounded Soldier,’ is included in the William Smith gift to the South Kensington Museum.
[Redgrave; Craig's Works.]
A. D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, Robert

​CRAIG, ROBERT (1730–1823), political writer, born in 1730, was the second son of James Craig, professor of law in the university of Edinburgh. He was admitted to the Scotch bar in 1754, and about 1756 he was appointed one of the judges of the Edinburgh commissary court. This office he resigned in 1791. For many years he and his elder brother Thomas lived together, neither ever marrying. On his brother's death in 1814 he succeeded to the estate of Riccarton, being the last male heir in the descent of Sir Thomas Craig the feudal lawyer [q. v.] He was a whig in politics. In 1795 he published anonymously ‘An Inquiry into the justice and necessity of the present War with France.’ This pamphlet is a vindication of the right of nations to remodel their institutions without external interference. He died in Edinburgh on 13 Feb. 1823 in his ninety-third year.
J. M. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, William (1745-1813)

​CRAIG, WILLIAM, Lord Craig (1745–1813), Scottish judge, son of William Craig, minister, of Glasgow, was born in 1745. He studied at the university of Edinburgh, and was admitted advocate at the Scottish bar in 1768. Partly on account of his literary tastes and pursuits, his success was not so rapid as his undoubted legal talents might have guaranteed. In 1784 he discharged the duties of advocate-depute along with Blair and Abercromby, and in 1787 he became sheriff-depute of Ayrshire. In 1792 he was on the death of Hailes raised to the bench with the title of Lord Craig. Though he had not held a prominent position at the bar, his elevation was fully justified by his career as a judge. In 1795 he succeeded Lord Henderland as a judge of the court of justiciary, an office which he held till 1812. He retained his office in the civil court till his death 8 July 1813. Craig along with other advocates was a member of a literary society called the ‘Tabernacle,’ who met at a tavern for reading essays and discussing literary matters. On the suggestion of Craig they ultimately resolved to start a periodical for the publication of the essays, upon which they changed the name of the society to the ‘Mirror Club,’ the name given to the publication being the ‘Mirror.’ It was published by Creech on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the first number appearing on Saturday 23 Jan. 1779, and the last (the 110th) 27 May 1780. Next to those of Henry Mackenzie the contributions of Craig were the most numerous, among them being a paper in the thirty-sixth number which assisted to bring into notice the poems of Michael Bruce. Craig was also a frequent contributor to the ‘Lounger’ (1785–6–7), published by the same club. He was cousin-german of Mrs. Maclehose, the ‘Clarinda’ of Robert Burns. Both publicly and privately he was held in much esteem for his upright conduct and courteous manners.
T. F. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, William Gibson

​CRAIG, Sir WILLIAM GIBSON (1797–1878), lord clerk register of Scotland, eldest son of (Sir) James Gibson, afterwards Craig, of Riccarton [q. v.], was born 2 Aug. 1797. Educated at the high school of Edinburgh and a private school in Yorkshire, he was called to the Scotch bar in 1820. His connection with the bar was, however, merely nominal, and after devoting some time to foreign travel he, on his return to Edinburgh, turned his attention to politics and other matters of public interest. In 1834 he served on the commission to inquire into church property in Ireland, and in the same year as a member of the general assembly of the church of Scotland he gave his support to the Veto Act. In 1835 he contested Midlothian with Sir George Clerk, but was defeated by a small majority. He was, however, returned in 1837, and in 1841 he exchanged the representation of the county for that of the city of Edinburgh, his parliamentary career closing in 1852. From 1846 to 1852 he was a lord of the treasury. In the public affairs of Edinburgh he took an active and prominent interest. He was one of the chief originators of the scheme for the water supply of the city, and through his suggestion a commission was in 1847 appointed to inquire into the whole subject of art in Scotland, the result of its deliberations being the erection of the National Gallery. In 1854 he was appointed to one of the unpaid seats at the board of supervision for the administration of the poor law in Scotland. In 1862 he was appointed lord clerk register and keeper of the signet in Scotland, and the following year was elected a privy councillor. The duties of lord clerk register he discharged gratuitously, in order that meanwhile inquiry might be made in regard to the functions of the office, the result being that in 1871 the salary of 1,200l. attached to it was restored. It is to his initiative that we owe the publication of the documents of the register office, of the privy council records, and of an index volume to Thomson's ‘Acts of Parliament.’ Craig was a leading member of the Highland and Agricultural Society, of which he became treasurer in succession to Sir Thomas Dick Lauder. In 1848 he became deputy-lieutenant of Midlothian. Privately he secured general and cordial esteem, and was well known for his hospitality to men distinguished in politics or letters. He died 12 March 1878. By his wife, a daughter of Mr. H. Vivian, M.P., he left issue, and he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son.
T. F. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hooke, John

​HOOKE, JOHN (1655–1712), serjeant-at-law, eldest son of John Hooke, born at Drogheda in 1655, was educated at Kilkenny, and on 28 June 1672 entered as a pensioner at Trinity College, Dublin, under the tuition of Richard Acton of Drogheda. He became a student of Gray's Inn on 3 Feb. 1674, and was called to the bar on 8 Feb. 1681. In 1697 he was a candidate for the office of chief justice of Chester, and was considered to have a fair prospect of success (Luttrell, Diary, iv. 216). He rose to the degree of serjeant-at-law on 30 Nov. 1700. After holding a Welsh judgeship till 1702 he was, in or before 1703, appointed chief justice of Carnarvon, Merioneth, and Anglesey, an office to which he was again appointed in 1706. In 1707 Lord Bulkeley preferred a complaint against him ​for demanding presents, which was tried before a committee of the House of Commons, and in spite of his explanation, that it was merely a customary present from the town of Beaumaris, which he and his predecessors were in the habit of receiving, he was found guilty by the committee, but was subsequently cleared by the house on the report by 178 to 130 votes. He died poor in 1712, leaving among other issue by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Major-general Lambert, a son, Nathaniel or Nathanael (d. 1763) [q. v.], author of a history of Rome. His wife survived him till 26 Jan. 1736.
[Woolrych's Eminent Serjeants; Wynne's Serjeants-at-Law; Gent. Mag. 1736; Luttrell's Brief Relation.]
J. A. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hooke, Luke Joseph

​HOOKE, LUKE JOSEPH, D.D. (1716–1796), catholic divine, son of Nathaniel Hooke (d. 1763) [q. v.], was born at Dublin in 1716. He was educated for the priesthood at the seminary of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet, Paris, graduated D.D. at the Sorbonne about 1736, and in 1742 was appointed to one of the six chairs of theology at the Sorbonne. In 1751 an outcry was raised against him for having allowed Martin de Prades, a bachelor of divinity, to argue a thesis which covertly advocated encyclopædist doctrines. Hooke pleaded in excuse that he had only cursorily examined the thesis, and that as soon as he perceived its unsoundness he had been prominent in denouncing it. In 1752 he was deprived of his professorship, but the decree, at the solicitation of his old colleagues, was rescinded in 1754. The deprivation, however, ultimately took effect. In 1762 another theological chair became vacant, and though Archbishop de Beaumont put forward a rival candidate, Petitjean, Hooke was elected by twenty-eight votes to twenty-seven. The archbishop resorted to every device to get the election annulled, and failing in this he forbade the seminaries to send their students to Hooke's lectures. Hooke, consequently, had only half a dozen auditors, and in 1766 gave up the unequal struggle by resigning his chair. He became librarian to the Mazarin Library. In 1775 he was visited by Dr. Johnson at St. Cloud. ‘We walked round the palace and had some talk,’ says Johnson in his skeleton diary, and next day Hooke returned the call at Johnson's inn (Boswell, Johnson, ed. Birkbeck Hill, ii. 397). Hooke's duties at the library were limited to three days a week and nine months of the year. In April 1791 the Paris Directory dismissed him from the librarianship, on account of his refusal of the oath to the civil constitution of the clergy. Hooke contended that his was one of the posts whose occupants were not amenable to the oath. But the Directory appointed as his successor the sub-librarian, the Abbé Le Blond. Hooke refused to retire; but after standing a sort of siege, withdrew to St. Cloud, where he died 16 April 1796. Besides several pamphlets on his personal grievances, Hooke published ‘Religionis Naturalis et Revelatæ Principia,’ Paris, 1754; reprinted in 1774 by Brewer, an English Benedictine, and by Migne in vols. ii. and iii. of his ‘Theologiæ Cursus Completus;’ and ‘Nature et Essence du Pouvoir de l'Eglise,’ 1791. He also edited in 1778, for the Duc de Fitzjames, the ‘Memoirs of Marshal Berwick.’
[Nouvelles Ecclésiastiques, 1762 p. 118, 1763 p. 21, 1764 p. 61; Almanach Royal, 1743; Barbier's Examen des Dict. Historiques, 1820.]
J. G. A.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Humphries, John

​HUMPHRIES, JOHN (d. 1730?), violinist and composer, published 'Six Solos for a Violin and Base with a Thoroughbase for the Harpsichord,' London, 1726. He is said to have died in 1730.
L. M. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Humphrys, William

​HUMPHRYS, WILLIAM (1794–1865), engraver, born at Dublin in 1794, went early to America, and learnt engraving from George Murray, senior member of a well-known bank-note engraving firm at Philadelphia, and a pupil of Anker Smith [q.v.] In America Humphrys engraved small plates for annuals and for illustrated editions of the works of Bryant, Longfellow, and other poets, besides vignettes and details for bank-notes; his great skill in this last work forming an effective safeguard against forgery. In 1822 he returned to England, where he was afterwards employed to engrave the well-known head of the queen on the postage stamps. He also engraved the head of Washington for the postage stamps of the United States. In England small plates for the annuals, such as 'The Bijou,' 'Forget-Me-Not,' and others, largely occupied him. But his larger plates included 'Sancho and the Duchess,' after C. R. Leslie, R.A.; 'Spanish Peasant Boy,' after Murillo; `The Coquette,' after Sir Joshua Reynolds; 'Master Lambton,' after Sir Thomas Lawrence; and 'George Washington,' after C. G. Stuart. He engraved (for 40l.) Stothard's 'Nun,' for Rogers's 'Italy' '1830), his only contribution to the volume, Humphrys was again in America between 1843 and 1845. At the invitation of his friend Alfred Novello he went to Villa Novello, near Genoa, late in 1864, in the hope of recovering from a stroke of paralysis, but he died there, 21 Jan. 1865. Humphrys was an engraver of great technical skill.
[Art Journal, 1865, p. 140; W. S. Baker's American Engravers and their Works; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Clayden's Rogers and his Contemporaries, ii. 3.]
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Humpston, Robert

​HUMPSTON or HUMSTON, ROBERT (d. 1606), bishop of Down and Connor, is said to have graduated M.A. at Oxford. In 1597 he was rector of Barrow, Cheshire. He was nominated bishop of Down and Connor on 17 July 1601, but was not consecrated until 5 April 1602. Ware mentions that he wasted the estate of the see by an improvident lease. The bishop died at Kilroot, near Carrickfergus, co. Antrim, in 1606. He published 'A Sermon preached at Reyfham in the countie of Norfolk the 22 of Sept. 1588, and eftsoons at request published by R. Humston, Minister of Gods Word,' London, 1589.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. ed. Bliss, ii. 845, note 3; Fiants Eliz. P R.O.Rep. 1886, p.59; Erch's Eccles. Reg. p. 29, Dublin, 1830; Ware's Bishops, Dublin ed., 1704, p. 46.]
W. R-l.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hungerford, Agnes

​HUNGERFORD, AGNES, Lady Hungerford (ex. 1522). [See under Hungerford, Walter, Lord Hungerford, d. 1540.]
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hungerford, Anthony (1564-1627)

​HUNGERFORD, Sir ANTHONY (1564–1627), controversialist, born in 1564, was son of Anthony Hungerford of Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, a descendant of Sir Edmund Hungerford second son of Walter, lord Hungerford (d. 1449) [q.v.] of Farleigh and Heytesbury. His mother was Bridget, daughter of John Shelley, and granddaughter of Sir William Shelley [q.v.], justice of the common pleas (Le Neve, Pedigrees of Knights, p. 33). She was a devout Roman catholic, and brought Anthony up in her faith. He seems to be the Anthony Hungerford of Wiltshire, who matriculated from St. John's College, Oxford, aged 16, on 12 April 1583 (Oxford Univ. Reg., Oxford Hist. Soc.,ii. ii. 126). Owing to his father's pecuniary difficulties he left the university within a year; but he is probably the Anthony Hungerford 'Armiger' who was created M.A. on 9 July 1594 (ib. ii. i. 235). After much wavering in his belief he embraced the reformed religion in 1588, at the time of the Spanish Armada. He was knighted on 15 Feb. 1607-8 (Metcalfe, p. 159), and was deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire until 1624, when he resigned the office in favour of his son Edward. He settled at Black Bourton, Oxfordshire; died at the end of June 1627, and was buried in Black Bourton church. His son Edward after his death found among his papers and published `The advice of a son professing the religion established in the present church of England to his dear mother, a Roman catholic,' and `the memorial of a father to his dear children, containing an acknowledgement of God's great mercy in bringing him to the profession of the true religion at this present established in the church of England,' Oxford, 1639, 4to. The latter part was finished at Black Bourton in April 1627.
Sir Anthony married (1) Lucy, daughter of Sir Walter Hungerford of Farleigh (d. 1596) [see under Hungerford, Walter, 1503-1540], and (2) Sarah, daughter of John Crouch of London. By his first wife he was ​father of Sir Edward Hungerford (1596-1648) [q.v.], and by his second wife was father of Anthony [q.v.] and John, and two daughters.
W. J. H-y.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Humphreys, Samuel

​HUMPHREYS, SAMUEL (1698?–1738), poet and miscellaneous writer, born about 1698, was well educated, and adopted a literary life. He was best known as author of a life of Prior, prefixed to an edition of his poems (1733–66), verses on Canons inscribed to the Duke of Chandos (1728), and the words to Handel's oratorios, 'Esther' (1732), 'Deborah' (1733), 'Athaliah ' (1733). It is said that 'the admired Mr. Handel had a due esteem for the harmony of his numbers; and the great Mæcenas, the Duke of Chandos, showed the ​regard he had for his musé by so generously rewarding him for celebrating his grace's seat at Canons' (Daily Post). He died in a 'large old house' at Canonbury, where he had rooms, on 11 Jan. 1738 (cf. Gent. Mag. September 1743, p. 491). He was buried, 'in a private but decent manner, in Islington churchyard.' His other writings were: 'Malpasia, a Poem Sacred to the Memory of … Lady Malpas,' 1732; 'Ulysses, an Opera,' 1733; and 'Annotations on the Old and New Testament,' 1735. He also translated the following dramas and operas: 'Poro, Re dell' Indie,' 1731; 'Rinaldo,' 1731; 'Venceslao,' 1731; 'Catone,' 1732; 'Eyio,' 1732; 'Sosarme Re di Media,' 1732. His 'Peruvian Tales' (1734), said to be translated from the French, and continued by Samuel Kelly, had considerable popularity (republished in 1817). He also translated the 'Spectacle de la nature,' by Antoine Noel, abbé de la Pluche, London, 1733 (Halkett and Laing, Dict. of Anonymous Lit. p. 2465), and pieces by Crébillon and La Fontaine.
F. W-t.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hill, Alexander

​HILL, ALEXANDER (1785–1867), professor of divinity in the university of Glasgow, was the son of George Hill, D.D. [q. v.], principal of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, where he was born on 19 July 1785. He studied at the university of his native city, and graduated in 1804. He was licensed as a preacher in 1806; for a number of years afterwards he travelled, and resided in England and abroad as tutor to a relative. During this period he prosecuted his own studies, paying special attention to the classics, and became familiar with men and manners. In 1815 he was ordained and inducted to the ​pastoral charge of Colmonell in Ayrshire, and in the following year was translated to the neighbouring parish of Dailly, where he remained for upwards of a quarter of a century. He graduated D.D. at St. Andrews in 1828, and in 1840 was appointed professor of divinity in the university of Glasgow, one of the competitors for the chair being Dr. Chalmers. He was moderator of the general assembly in 1845, and for many years took a prominent part in its proceedings. After the secession of 1843 he held a conspicuous place among those leaders of the moderate party whose acknowledged worth regained for the church the confidence of the country. A man of competent ability and scholarship, of sound judgment, courteous manners, and great kindness of heart, he was beloved by his parishioners and students, and was held in universal respect for his catholicity of spirit. He was the founder of the association for increasing the smaller livings of the clergy, and an active promoter of many other schemes of benevolence. When he resigned his chair in 1862 he received tributes of respect from many quarters. He died at Ayr in January 1867, in his eighty-second year. He married Margaret, only daughter of Major Crawford, H.E.I.C., of Newfield, and had nine children, among them being Crawford, an advocate; Alexander, minister at St. Andrews; Henry David, minister of Eaglesham, Renfrewshire; and Harriet, who married the Rev. James Macnair, minister of the Canongate.
Hill edited his father's ‘Lectures in Divinity,’ and published: 1. ‘The Practice in the Judicatories of the Church of Scotland,’ 2nd edit., Edinburgh, 1830; 5th edit., enlarged, London, 1851. 2. ‘A Book of Family Prayers,’ Edinburgh, 1837, 12mo. 3. ‘Christ the Head of the Church, a Sermon,’ Edinburgh, 1846. 4. ‘Practical Hints to a Young Minister.’ 5. ‘Counsels regarding the Pastoral Office.’ 6. ‘Account of the Parish of Dailly’ (New Statistical Account, vol. v.)
[Scott's Fasti Eccl. Scot.; Edinburgh Courant, January 1867; Dailly Parish Magazine, July 1885.]
G. W. S.