OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Norcott, William

​NORCOTT, WILLIAM (1770?–1820?), Irish satirist, was born about 1770, and having entered Trinity College, Dublin, graduated B.A. in 1795, LL.B. in 1801, and LL.D. in 1806. He was called to the Irish bar in 1797, and practised with some success for a time, but preferred social enjoyment to his legal duties. During the viceroyalty of the Duke of Richmond he was very popular at Dublin Castle, and was generally a favourite in the best society of the city, partly on account of his excellent mimetic talent. With his friend, John Wilson Croker [q. v.], he was largely concerned in the production of the many poetical satires which appeared in Dublin after the passing of the union. The following pieces may be attributed to him with confidence: 1. ‘The Metropolis,’ an attack on various Dublin institutions, dedicated to John Wilson Croker, 12mo, 1805; 2nd ed. 12mo, 1805. 2. ‘The Metropolis,’ pt. ii., dedicated to Thomas Moore, 12mo, 1806; 2nd ed., 12mo, 1806. 3. ‘The Seven Thieves: a Satire, by the author of “The Metropolis,”’ dedicated to Henry Grattan, 12mo, 1807; 2nd ed., 12mo, 1807. 4. ‘The Law Scrutiny; or the Attornie's Guide,’ a satire, dedicated to George Ponsonby, lord chancellor of Ireland, 12mo, 1807. These effusions were published by Barlow of Bolton Street, the publisher of Croker's ‘Familiar Epistles,’ and caused considerable stir in Dublin. Besides Norcott, Croker and Grady were each suspected of their authorship, and Richard Frizelle was also credited with ‘The Metropolis.’ A writer in the ‘Dublin University Magazine’ (lviii. 725) unhesitatingly names Norcott as the author, and Barrington and Sheil both acknowledged his responsibility. Norcott, a reckless gambler and generally dissipated, soon fell into debt and disgrace; but, through the influence of Croker, obtained about 1815 an excellent appointment in Malta. He failed to hold it long, and fled from Malta entirely discredited. After much wandering he reached Smyrna, where he was reduced to selling opium and rhubarb in the streets, thence to the Morea, and ultimately to Constantinople. There he lived in destitution for some time, becoming a Mohammedan, and writing ‘most heartrending’ letters to his friends. In the end he recanted his Mohammedanism, and attempted to escape from Constantinople, but was pursued and captured. After being decapitated, his body was thrown into the sea. This took place about 1820. The story is told at some length in Sheil's ‘Sketches of the Irish Bar,’ and, with some modifications, in Barrington's ‘Personal Sketches.’ He is described by the latter as ‘a fat, full-faced, portly-looking person.’
[Haliday Pamphlets, Royal Irish Academy, 1805–7; Todd's Dublin Graduates; Watson's Dublin Directories, 1800–15; Barrington's Personal Sketches, i. 445–51; Notes and Queries, 8th ser.; O'Donoghue's Poets of Ireland, pp. 177–8; authorities cited in text.]
D. J. O'D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newman, John (1677?-1741)

​NEWMAN, JOHN (1677?–1741), presbyterian minister, was born in Oxfordshire about 1677. He was educated by Samuel Chapman, the ejected vicar of Yoxford, Suffolk, and at the nonconformist academy of John Woodhouse, at Sheriff Hales, Shropshire. In 1696 he became assistant to Joseph Read, presbyterian minister at Dyott Street, Bloomsbury, but became in the same year assistant to Nathaniel Taylor [q. v.] at Salters' Hall. He was ordained on 20 Oct. 1697, though apparently not of age, and continued as assistant to Taylor's successor, William Tong [q. v.], till in 1716 he was chosen co-pastor. He was a subscriber in 1719 at Salters' Hall [see Bradbury, Thomas]. In 1724 he succeeded Benjamin Robinson [q. v.] as one of the merchants' Tuesday lecturers at Salters' Hall. After Tong's death he was elected (1728) a trustee of the foundations of Daniel Williams, D.D. He long enjoyed great repute as a preacher, using no notes, and retaining the puritan style of laboured and lengthy discourses. His theology was of the old stamp; he was unaffected by the doctrinal changes of dissent. He gave great attention to the pastoral side of his ministry. After a few days' illness, he died on 25 July 1741, in his sixty-fifth year. He was buried at Bunhill Fields on 31 July; Philip Doddridge [q. v.], his intimate friend, delivered the funeral address; his funeral sermon was preached on 2 Aug. by John Barker (1682–1762) [q. v.], his successor. His portrait is in Dr. Williams's library, Gordon Square, London; an engraving from it, by Hopwood, is given in Wilson. His son, Samuel Newman (d. 31 May 1735, aged 28), was his assistant from 1728.
Wilson gives a list of nine of his separate sermons (1702–35), including funeral sermons for Taylor (1702) and Tong (1727). To these may be added a funeral sermon for Richard Mount (1722) and ‘The Importance of knowing Jesus Christ,’ &c., 1728, 8vo (two sermons).
A. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newland, John

​NEWLAND, JOHN (d. 1515), abbot of St. Augustine's, Bristol, was born at Newland in the Forest of Dean, whence he took his name; he was also called Nailheart, which may have been his parents' name, and suggested the device or arms he adopted. He was elected abbot of St. Augustine's, Bristol, on 6 April 1481, but may have been obnoxious to Richard III, as Richard Walker was appointed abbot in 1483. On the accession of Henry VII Newland was reinstalled in his office, and is said to have been frequently employed in missions abroad during this reign, although no record of them is known to exist. In 1502 he supplicated for the degree of doctor of divinity in the university of Oxford, but the result of his request is not known. He was ‘a person solely given up to religion and alms-deeds,’ and spent considerable sums of money in improving his abbey, which subsequently became the cathedral church of Bristol. He died on 12 June 1515, and was buried under an arch in the south side of the choir of St. Augustine's; above his tomb in the wall was erected an effigy in stone. He employed his ‘great learning and abilities’ in composing an account of the Berkeley family, with pedigrees from the time of the Conqueror down to 1490. This manuscript, preserved at Berkeley Castle, was incorporated by John Smyth in his ‘Lives of the Berkeleys,’ ed. 1883 by Sir John Maclean, F.S.A., for the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archæological Society, 3 vols. One of Newland's seals is preserved at the British Museum (Index of Seals, MS. 54, c. 20).
[Cole MSS. x. 68, 72, 73, 92, 94; Dugdale's Monasticon, ed. Cayley, Ellis, and Bandinel, vi. 364; Wood's Fasti Oxon. i. 10; White Kennet's Register and Parochial Antiquities, p. 241, &c.; Willis's Survey of Cathedrals, ii. 767; Tanner's Bibl. Brit.-Hib.; Barrett's Hist. of Bristol, pp. 248, 266, 268–9; Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, ed. Maclean, i. 2, iii. 54.]
A. F. P.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newman, Arthur

​NEWMAN, ARTHUR (fl. 1619), poet and essayist, son and heir-apparent of William Newman, esq., of Ludgvan, Cornwall, entered Trinity College, Oxford, before 1607, though his name does not appear in the matriculation books of the university. It seems, however, from an entry in the bursar's book, that his caution-money was returned ​to him in 1618, when he probably left Oxford. On 19 Oct. 1616 he was admitted a student of the Middle Temple, London.
His works are: 1. ‘The Bible-bearer. By A. N.,’ London, 1607, 4to; dedicated to Hugh Browker, prothonotary of the common pleas. It is in prose, and is a ‘shrewd satire upon all hypocritical, puritanical, and sanctified sinners, all trimmers, time-servers, and holy cameleons, or conformists to any preachers, parties, or fashionable principles, who are only politically pious for profit or preferment.’ 2. ‘Pleasvres Vision: with Deserts Complaint, and a short Dialogve of a Womans Properties betweene an Old Man and a Young,’ London, 1619, 8vo, thirty-one leaves unpaged. The work is dedicated to his kinsman, Sir George Newman of Canterbury (1562–1627). A facsimile edition, limited to fifty copies, printed by E. Hartnall, Ryde, I. W., appeared in 1840, 8vo, under the editorial supervision of Mr. Utterson. Thomas Park says Newman ‘is a writer who, from the brevity rather than the inferiority of his productions, may be deemed a minor poet; his verses are moral, harmonious, and pleasing’ (Brydges, Censura Literaria, ed. 1806, ii. 155).
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newlin, Thomas

​NEWLIN, THOMAS (1688–1743), divine, son of William Newlin, rector of St. Swithin's, Winchester, was baptised there 29 Oct. 1688. From 1702 to 1706 he was a scholar of Winchester (Kirby, Winchester Scholars, p. 217), and was elected demy of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1706. He graduated B.A. 26 June 1710, M.A. 7 May 1713, and B.D. 8 July 1727. He was a fellow of Magdalen from 1717 to 1721 (Bloxam, Magd. Coll. Reg. vi. 173–6). He frequently preached in Latin and English before the university, and seems to have been in good repute, but Hearne says (ib.) ‘if he would not print he might pass for a tolerable preacher.’ On 27 Sept. 1720 he was presented to the college living of Upper Beeding, Sussex (cf. Suss. Archeol. Coll. xxv. 191). The ancient priory of Sele, held with the living of Beeding, was repaired in 1724 at a cost of 200l. by Newlin and his wife Susanna, daughter of Martin and Sarah Powell of Oxford (d. 18 Sept. 1732). They had no children. Newlin died 24 Feb. 1743, and was buried at Beeding on 11 March (register; probably 2nd is meant). An epitaph records his defence of the constitution and liturgy of the church of England, and other virtues. His character appears to have been one of integrity and simplicity. His works were, besides separate sermons:
* ‘The Sinner Enslaved by False Pretences,’ Oxford, 1718.
* ‘Eighteen Sermons on Several Occasions,’ Oxford, 1720.
* ‘One and Twenty Sermons on Several Occasions,’ Oxford, 1726.
* ‘Bishop Parker's “History of his own Time,” in Four Books, faithfully translated from the Latin original,’ London, 1727.
Sixteen of Newlin's sermons are to be found in ‘Family Lectures,’ London, 1791. The editor, Vicesimus Knox [q. v.], says he prints them for their variety and excellence.
[Authorities given above; Gent. Mag. 1785 pt. i. p. 424; Darling's Encyclopædia; register of St. Swithin's, Winchester, per the Rev. J. H. Hodgson.]
C. F. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newman, Francis

​NEWMAN, FRANCIS (d. 1660), New England statesman, emigrated to New Hampshire in 1638, and subsequently removed to Newhaven, Connecticut. In his barn in the latter place, in June 1639, was formulated the compact or civil constitution by which the colony for many years was ruled. He was made ensign of the trained band in June 1642, a surveyor of roads and bridges on 21 Oct. 1644, deputy and lieutenant of artillery on 31 March 1645, interim secretary on 10 March 1646, deputy for jurisdiction and secretary on 18 Oct. 1647, and magistrate on 25 May 1653. In 1653 he formed one of the deputation that waited on Governor Peter Stuyvesant of New Netherlands, to request satisfaction for the injuries inflicted by the Dutch upon the colony. On 5 July 1654 he was appointed commissioner of the united colonies, and on 26 May 1658 succeeded to the governorship of Newhaven. In September 1659 one Henry Tomlinson of Stratford molested Newman, and even caused him to be arrested at Connecticut, as a protest against a new impost on wines and liquors. The general court of Newhaven made Tomlinson humbly apologise and give security for future good behaviour. Newman died at Newhaven on 18 Nov. 1660, and was awarded a public funeral in recognition of his great services to the colony. He left a widow.
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newman, Jeremiah Whitaker

​NEWMAN, JEREMIAH WHITAKER (1759–1839), medical and miscellaneous writer, son of Arthur Newman, surgeon, of Ringwood, Hampshire, born in 1759, became a member of the Corporation of Surgeons, and was in practice at Ringwood in 1783. In consequence of ill-health he removed to Dover, where he made the acquaintance of Sir Thomas Mantell [q. v.] and his wife, and resided for many years in their house. He was a delightful companion at all times, full of anecdote and energy, intelligence and originality. On 9 Dec. 1790 he was admitted an extra-licentiate of the College of Physicians of London (Munk, Coll. of Phys. 2nd edit. ii. 414). He was a favourite with the eccentric Messenger Monsey [q. v.], the resident physician at Chelsea Hospital, of whom he wrote (but did not publish) an amusing memoir. He married and settled on his own estate at Ringwood, where he died on 27 July 1839.
His principal work, published anonymously, was ‘The Lounger's Commonplace Book, or Miscellaneous Collections in History, Criticism, Biography, Poetry, and Romance,’ 3rd edit. 4 vols., London, 1805–7, 8vo; and 2 vols., London, 1838, 8vo. He also wrote ‘A Short Inquiry into the Merits of Solvents, so far as it may be necessary to compare them with the Operation of Lithotomy,’ London, 1781, 8vo; and ‘An Essay on the Principles and Manners of the Medical Profession; with some Occasional Remarks on the Use and Abuse of Medicines.’ These two tracts were republished in 1789 under the title of ‘Medical Essays, with Additions.’
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Newland, Henry Garrett

​NEWLAND, HENRY GARRETT (1804–1860), divine, born in London in 1804, accompanied when five his father (Col. Bingham Newland) to Sicily, where he remained seven years. In 1816 he was sent to school at Lausanne, Switzerland, to learn the French language, and at the end of that year he returned to England. In 1823 he matriculated from Christ's College, Cambridge, but afterwards migrated to Corpus Christi College, in the same university, whence he graduated B.A. in 1827 and M.A. in 1830. After being ordained priest in 1829, he was, in September that year, presented to the rich sinecure rectory of Westbourne, Sussex, but also held two or three important curacies in the diocese of Chichester until January 1834, when he became vicar of Westbourne. There he established a daily choral service, and zealously preached tractarian doctrine. In the autumn of 1855 he removed to the vicarage of St. Mary-Church with Coffinswell, near Torquay, Devonshire, at the earnest solicitation of Henry Phillpotts [q. v.], bishop of Exeter, who appointed him his domestic chaplain. He died at St. Mary-Church on 25 June 1860.
His works are, excluding tracts and pamphlets:
* ‘The Erne, its Legends and its Fly-fishing,’ London, 1851, 12mo.
* ‘ ​Confession and Absolution. The Sentiments of the Bishop of Exeter identical with those of the Reformers,’ London, 1852, 12mo.
* ‘Three Lectures on Tractarianism,’ delivered in the Town-hall, Brighton, four editions 1852–3.
* ‘The Seasons of the Church: What they teach. A series of Sermons on the different Times and Occasions of the Christian Year,’ 3 vols.
* ‘Postils. Short Sermons on the Parables, &c. Adapted from the Teaching of the Fathers.’
* ‘Confirmation and First Communion. A series of Essays, Lectures, Sermons, Conversations, and Heads of Catechising, relative to the Preparation of Catechumens,’ London, 1853, and again 1854, 12mo.
* ‘Forest Scenes in Norway and Sweden,’ London, 1854, 8vo.
* ‘Commentaries on Ephesians and Philippians,’ 1860, 2 vols.
[Memoir by the Rev. Reginald J. Shutte, London, 1861; Sussex Archæol. Col. vol. xxii.; Graduati Cantabr. 1846; Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1860, p. 448; Gent. Mag. 1860, ii. 210.]
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wedderburn, Alexander (1610-1676)

​WEDDERBURN, Sir ALEXANDER (1610–1676), of Blackness, Forfarshire, eldest son of James Wedderburn, town clerk of Dundee, by Margaret, daughter of James Goldman, also a Dundee merchant, was born in 1610. Sir Peter Wedderburn [q. v.] was his younger brother. Alexander was educated for the law and passed advocate; but upon the death of his uncle Alexander of Kingennie, whose son was then a minor, he was in 1633 appointed town clerk of Dundee, and held the office till 1675. For his steadfast loyalty he obtained from Charles I in 1639 a tack of the customs of Dundee, and in 1640 a pension of 100l. per annum out of the customs. In September of the same year he was appointed one of the eight Scots commissioners to arrange the treaty of Ripon. In October following he had an exoneration and ratification from the king, and in 1642 a knighthood was conferred on him. He represented Dundee in the Scottish parliament, 1644–7 and 1648–51 (Return of Members of Parliament), and he served on numerous committees of the estates. At the Restoration in 1661 he was appointed one of the commissioners for regulating weights and measures; and on 10 Feb. 1664 he received from Charles II a pension of 100l. sterling. He died on 18 Nov. 1676. By Matilda, daughter of Sir Andrew Fletcher of Innerpeffer, he had five sons and six daughters. His second son, James (1649–1696), was grandfather of Sir John Wedderburn (1704–1746) [q. v.]
T. F. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wedderburn, John (1599-1679)

​WEDDERBURN, Sir JOHN (1599–1679), physician, was the fifth son of Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie, town clerk of Dundee, and Helen, daughter of Alexander Ramsay of Brachmont in Fife, and was born at Dundee in 1599. He matriculated at St. Andrews University in 1615, graduated in 1618, and was professor of philosophy there in 1620–30. Having chosen the medical profession, he rapidly attained an eminent position. He was appointed physician to the king, was knighted, and obtained a pension of two thousand pounds Scots from Charles I, which was confirmed to him by Charles II. Following the example of his kinsman and namesake, brother of James Wedderburn (1585–1639) [q. v.], who was then a distinguished physician in Moravia, Wedderburn prosecuted his medical studies on the continent, and was with the prince (Charles II) in Holland. On 9 April 1646 he was incorporated M.D. of Oxford University, upon the recommendation of the chancellor. He acquired a large fortune, and gave so liberally to his two nephews that one, Sir Alexander [q. v.], acquired the estate of Blackness, while the other, Sir Peter [q. v.], bought Gosford in East Lothian in 1659. At Gosford Sir John lived in partial retirement from 1662 till his death in July 1679, and was probably buried in the churchyard of Aberlady. He was unmarried. By his will he bequeathed his extensive and valuable library to St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews University.
A portrait of him is at Meredith, in the possession of Sir William Wedderburn. It is reproduced in ‘The Wedderburn Book.’
A. H. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wedge, John Helder

​WEDGE, JOHN HELDER (1792–1872), colonial statesman, was born in England in 1792. He arrived in Tasmania in 1827, having received an appointment in the survey department. In 1828 he was ordered by government to make a preliminary survey of the country before the patent of the grant about to be made to the Van Diemen's Land Company was settled. In accordance with his report the grant to the company was increased from 250,000 to 350,000 acres, but his recommendation to reserve land at Emu Bay for a township was disregarded, though it was the only site suitable for a port not already in the company's possession. Some years later with Frankland, the surveyor-general, he explored the country from the headwaters of the Derwent to Fort Davey, tracing the Huon river from its source. In 1835 he went to Port Phillip as agent for a syndicate of fifteen Tasmanians to take up a large tract of land in the territory of what is now Victoria. Six hundred thousand acres were purchased by Wedge from the natives before the syndicate's expedition, led by John Pascoe Fawkner [q. v.], arrived. The purchase was disallowed by the Sydney government, though at a later period the syndicate received a grant of land in partial compensation, Wedge selling his share in 1854 for 18,000l. While at Port Phillip he aided in rescuing William Buckley (1780–1856) [q. v.], who had lived over thirty years among the Australian natives. After the collapse of this syndicate Wedge visited England, returning in 1843, with Francis Russell Nixon [q. v.], bishop of Tasmania, as manager of the Christ College estate at Bishopsbourne. In 1855 he was elected member of the Tasmanian legislative council for the district of Morven, and in 1856 for the district of North Esk. He was a member of the cabinet without office in Thomas George Gregson's short ministry from 26 Feb. to 25 April 1857. At a later date he represented Hobart, and afterwards the Huon in the legislative council, retaining his seat until his death. For many years he resided on his estate, Leighlands, near Perth, but in 1865 removed to the estate of Medlands, on the river Forth, where he died on 22 Nov. 1872. In 1843 he married an English lady ​who came to Tasmania with Bishop Nixon. She died soon after marriage without issue.
[Hobart Mercury, 26 Nov. 1872; Mennell's Australasian Biogr. 1892; Fenton's Hist. of Tasmania, 1884, pp. 79, 80, 128, 131, 271, 292; Labillière's Early Hist. of Victoria, 1878, pp. 50, 54, 60, 65, 70.]
E. I. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wedderburn, James (1585?-1639)

​WEDDERBURN, JAMES (1585–1639), bishop of Dunblane, was the second son of John Wedderburn, mariner and shipowner, Dundee, and Margaret Lindsay. James Wedderburn (1495?–1553) [q. v.] was his great-grandfather. He was born at Dundee in 1585, and began his collegiate course at St. Andrews University, matriculating in 1604, graduating in 1608, and removing thence to one of the English universities. Wood states that Wedderburn studied at Oxford, but his name does not occur in the registers; and Heylyn, in his ‘Life of William Laud, Archbishop,’ gives Cambridge as the university. He was at one time tutor to the children of Isaac Casaubon, and among the Burney manuscripts in the British Museum there are several letters from him to Casaubon and to his son Meric, the latter having been Wedderburn's special pupil. Wedderburn took orders in the Anglican church, was minister at Harstone in 1615, and was closely associated with Laud in the preparation of the liturgy for the Scottish church. He was professor of divinity in ​St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, in 1617, and had obtained his degree of D.D. before January 1623, as at that time, in conjunction with Principal Howie, he introduced the liturgy at the college, in compliance with the orders of the king (Calderwood, Hist. of the Kirk, Wodrow Soc. vii. 569). In February 1626 he was appointed rector of Compton, diocese of Winchester, and was collated canon of Ely before Christmas 1626. On 12 Sept. 1628 the king presented him to the vicarage of Mildenhall, diocese of Norwich. He was appointed prebendary of Whitchurch in the bishopric of Bath and Wells on 26 May 1631 (Le Neve, Fasti, i. 203, 360). He became dean of the Chapel Royal, Stirling, in October 1635. On 11 Feb. 1636 he was preferred to the see of Dunblane, in succession to Adam Bellenden, promoted to the bishopric of Aberdeen. He must have retained the prebend of Whitchurch, as no successor was appointed until 1 July 1638 (Wells Cath. MSS. in Hist. MSS. Comm. 10th Rep. iii. 260). When the Glasgow assembly of 13 Dec. 1638 deposed the bishops, Wedderburn was expressly included in the excommunication, because ‘he had been a confidential agent of Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, in introducing the new liturgy and popish ceremonies.’ He fled to England, in company with other Scottish bishops, and found protection from his patron, Laud; but he did not long survive his deprivation. He died at Canterbury on 23 Sept. 1639, and was buried in the chapel of the Virgin Mary in the cathedral there. There is a portrait of the bishop, by Jamieson, at Birkhill, Fifeshire, reproduced in ‘The Wedderburn Book.’ In Scott's ‘Fasti’ he is said to have written ‘A Treatise of Reconciliation.’
A. H. M.