Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 35.djvu/258

MacNeven Jocelyn, second son of Robert, second earl of Roden, and died in 1852.

MacNeill was tall and strikingly handsome. Although self-taught in technical and scientific subjects, he had a strong liking for exact science. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and other learned bodies, and a constant attendant at their meetings.

MacNeill was the author of the following works and papers: 1. 'Influence of Attraction on the Magnetic Needle' ('Quart. Journal of Science,' 1823, vol. xv.) 2. 'Tables for Computing Cubic Quantities of Earthwork in Cuttings for Canals, Railways, &c.,' London, 1833; a second edition of this useful work was printed on yellow toned paper, London, 1846. 3. 'Recent Canal Boat Experiments — Description and Tabulated Results of Experiments to ascertain the actual Traction-Power in drawing Canal Boats' ('Trans. Inst. Civ. Eng.' 1836, i. 237-82). 4. Translation of Navier's 'Means of Comparing the Advantages of different Lines of Railway,' London, 1836. He was patentee of 'A Method of preparing and applying Materials for making Roads more durable' (No. 5662, 6 May 1828); 'Making and Mending Roads' (No. 7077, 3 May 1836); the same (No. 7278, 11 Jan. 1837); 'Improvements in Locomotive Engines and Railways' (No. 12768, 6 Sept. 1849).

 MACNEVEN or MACNEVIN, WILLIAM JAMES, M.D. (1763–1841), United Irishman, eldest son of James and Rosa (born Dolphin) MacNeven, was born on 21 March 1763 at JBallynahowna, near Aughrim, in co. Galway, a small estate allotted to an 'innocent papist' ancestor of his during the Cromwellian settlement, in lieu of certain lands possessed by him in the north of Ireland. He was educated in the neighbourhood, at Ballinasloe, and Archreagh, till about the age of ten, when he was placed under the care of his paternal uncle, Baron MacNeven, who resided at Prague in Bohemia, and held an honourable position at the Austrian court as one of the physicians of the Empress Maria Theresa. After receiving a good classical education, and passing through the medical college at Prague, MacNeven proceeded to the university of Vienna, where he graduated in 1783. He returned to Ireland in the following year, and established himself in practice in Dublin. He took a keen interest in public affairs, especially in the catholic emancipation movement, and became an active member of the catholic committee as the representative of Navan. He supported John Keogh (1740-1817) [q. v.] in his opposition to the timid policy of Lord Kenmare, and in the catholic convention of 1792, commonly called the Back Lane parliament, he advocated the extension of the forty-shilling freehold franchise to the Roman catholics. He was induced by Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Arthur O'Connor to join the United Irish brotherhood, and in January 1797 he took the oath from Miss Moore of Thomas Street, to whom he was strongly attached. He was one of the ablest members of the United Irish executive, and on 27 June 1797, when there was some danger of a premature rebellion, he left Ireland for the purpose of supporting Edward Lewins [q.v.], the United Irish plenipotentiary at Pans, in urging the immediate intervention of France. On his arrival at Hamburg, where he passed under the name of Williams, he drew up an elaborate memorial on the state of affairs in Ireland and the best means of effecting an invasion. This memorial he was anxious to deliver himself, but some difficulty being made about giving him a passport to Paris, and his presence being required in Ireland, it was placed in the hands of Reinhard, the French minister at Hamburg, to be translated and transmitted to the Directory. By the agency, probably, of Samuel Turner [q. v.], a copv of this document, printed in the 'Castlereagh Correspondence,' i. 296-301 with some interesting omissions (, Hist. of Engl. vii. 386), was communicated to the English government.

MacNeven returned to Ireland in October, and on 12 March 1798 he was arrested with the chief leaders of the movement and confined in Kilmainham gaol. He was profoundly affected by the severity with which government suppressed the rebellion, and, in order to allay the public panic, he, with others of his fellow-prisoners, yielded to the suggestion of Francis Dobbs [q. v.] to make a full disclosure of the conspiracy, and to submit to banishment for life to any country at amity with England. By the advice of Lord Clare their offer was on 29 July accepted, and on 4 Aug. MacNeven, Emmet, and O'Connor presented a detailed statement of the origin and progress of the United Irish movement to government. The document (, Pieces of Irish History, pp. 174-93; Castlereagh Correspondence, i. 363-72), which was an able defence of the United Irishmen, was regarded as unsatisfactory by government, and accordingly suppressed. On 7 and 8 Aug. MacNeven was examined before secret committees of the lords and commons. He 