John K'eogh, D.D.

K'eogh, John, D.D., a learned divine, born at Clooncleagh, near Limerick, the middle of the 17th century. His family, originally MacEochadhs, lost their property in the Cromwellian wars. He entered Trinity College in 1669, was a scholar in 1674, and M.A. 1678. Taking orders, he was, by his relative John Hudson, Bishop of Elphin, given a living in that diocese; and was collated and installed prebendary of Termonbarry in 1678. There he continued forty-seven years, until his death, devoting himself to literary pursuits. He is said to have been the author of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin grammars, and other learned works. His biographer in Walker's Magazine (1778) writes: "He also wrote a demonstration of the Trinity in Latin verse; he has been often heard to say, that it was as plain to him as two and three made five; this performance was shown to Sir Isaac Newton, who seemed to approve mightily of it. He wrote many other books which were destroyed by an accidental fire that happened at his dwelling house near Strokestown... Although the Doctor had a very numerous issue, not less than twenty-one children, males and females, yet he never would take tythe from a poor man." His numerous writings still remain unpublished. His eldest son, John K'eogh, D.D., was the author of Botanologia Hibernica (Cork, 1735), containing a list of medicinal plants growing in Ireland, with their names in Irish, English, and Latin; also Zoologia Medicinalis Hibernica (little in accord with modern medical science), and a Vindication of the Antiquities of Ireland (Dub. 1748), in which last he gives an account of his family.

Sources

338. Walker's Hibernian Magazine. Dublin, 1771-1811.
Walker, Joseph C, see Nos. 20, 108.

339. Ware, Sir James, Works: Walter Harris. 2 vols. Dublin, 1764.