Chapter Nabbes to Newman of N by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Nayler, James (1617?-1660).—Quaker theologian, son of a Yorkshire yeoman, who, after serving in the Parliamentary army, joined the Quakers in 1651, became one of Foxe’s most trusted helpers, and exercised a powerful influence. By some of the more enthusiastic devotees of the sect he was honoured with such blasphemous titles as “the Lamb of God,” which, however, he did not arrogate to himself, but asserted that they were ascribed to “Christ in him.” He was found guilty of blasphemy, pilloried, whipped, and branded, and cast into prison, from which he was not released until after the death of Cromwell, when he made public confession and resumed preaching. He was the author of a number of short works both devotional and controversial. He ranks high among the Quakers for eloquence, insight, and depth of thought.

Neal, John (1793-1876).—Novelist and poet, born at Portland, Maine, was self-educated, kept a dry goods store, and was afterwards a lawyer. He wrote several novels, which show considerable native power, but little art, and are now almost forgotten. Among those which show the influence of Byron and Godwin are Keep Cool (1818), Logan (1822), and Seventy-six (1823). His poems have the same features of vigour and want of finish. In 1823 he visited England, and became known to Jeremy Bentham. He contributed some articles on American subjects to Blackwood’s Magazine.

Neaves, Charles, Lord (1800-1876).—Miscellaneous author, born and educated in Edinburgh, was called to the Bar, and became a judge. He was a frequent contributor to Blackwood’s Magazine. His verses, witty and satirical, were collected as Songs and Verses, Social and Scientific. He wrote also on philology, and published a book on the Greek Anthology.

Neckham, Alexander (1157-1217).—Scholar, born at St. Albans, was foster-brother to Richard Cœur de Lion. He went to Paris in 1180, where he became a distinguished teacher. Returning to England in 1186 he became an Augustinian Canon, and in 1213 Abbot of Cirencester. He is one of our earliest men of learning, and wrote a scientific work in Latin verse, De Naturis Rerum (circa 1180-94) in 10 books. Other works are De Laudibus Divinæ Sapientiæ (in Praise of the Divine Wisdom), and De Contemptu Mundi (on Despising the World), and some grammatical treatises.

Newcastle, Margaret, Duchess of (1624?-1674).—daughter of Sir Thomas Lucas, and a maid of honour to Queen Henrietta Maria, married in 1645 the 1st Duke of Newcastle (then Marquis), whom she regarded in adversity and prosperity with a singular and almost fantastic devotion, which was fully reciprocated. The noble pair collaborated (the Duchess contributing by far the larger share) in their literary ventures, which filled 12 vols., and consisted chiefly of dramas (now almost unreadable), and philosophical exercitations which, amid prevailing rubbish, contain some weighty sayings. One of her poems, The Pastimes and Recreations of the Queen of Fairies in Fairyland has some good lines. Her Life of her husband, in which she rates him above Julius Cæsar, was said by Lamb to be “a jewel for which no casket was good enough.”

Newman, Francis William (1805-1897).—Scholar and theological writer, brother of Cardinal Newman, born in London, and educated at Oxford After spending three years in the East, he became successively classical tutor in Bristol College, Professor of Classical Literature in Manchester New College (1840), and of Latin in University College, London, 1846-63. Both brought up under evangelical influences, the two brothers moved from that standpoint in diametrically opposite directions, Francis through eclecticism towards scepticism. His writings include a History of the Hebrew Monarchy (1847), The Soul (1849), and his most famous book, Phases of Faith (1850), a theological autobiography corresponding to his brother’s Apologia, the publication of which led to much controversy, and to the appearance of Henry Rogers’ Eclipse of Faith. He also published Miscellanea, in 4 vols., a Dictionary of modern Arabic, and some mathematical treatises. He was a vegetarian, a total abstainer, and enemy of tobacco, vaccination, and vivisection. Memoir by I. G. Sieveking, 1909.

Newman, John Henry (1801-1890).—Theologian, son of a London banker, and brother of the above, was educated at Ealing and Trinity College, Oxford, where he was the intimate friend of Pusey and Hurrell Froude. Taking orders he was successively curate of St. Clement’s 1824, and Vicar of St. Mary’s, Oxford, 1828. He was also Vice-principal of Alban Hall, where he assisted Whately, the Principal, in his Logic.