Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/MacDowell, William
MACDOWELL, WILLIAM (1590–1666), diplomatist, born in October 1690 at Makerstoun, Roxburghshire, was son of Thomas Macdowell by Johanna, daughter of Sir Andrew Ker of Greenhead. From 1597 to 1603 he attended Musselburgh school, and in 1605 proceeded to St. Andrews, where he had a distinguished career. In 1609, before he had taken his degree, he was made philosophical master at St. Leonard's College, an office which he held until 1614, when he accepted the professorship of philosophy at Groningen University. He graduated LL.D. at Groningen in 1625, and in 1627 became president of the council of war in Groningen and Friesland. In 1629, 1635, and 1636 he was sent ambassador to England, on the last occasion to adjust fishery disputes. Charles I, struck by the ability of his arguments, would have made him a Scottish privy councillor had not the civil war broke out On 4 June 1650 Macdowell became Charles II's resident agent at the Hague. When, in March 1651, the English parliament sent Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland to the Hague to negotiate a union with the States, Macdowell distinguished himself by his reply to their propositions and memorials at the great assembly of the States-General, and the English envoys had to depart amid jeers from the populace in July. His success seems to have completely turned his head. He repudiated the advice of the English king's most trusted counsellors, and refused to take any instructions except from Charles himself. Nicholas, in writing to Hyde in March 1652, describes Macdowell as 'a most unskilful and indeed ridiculous person, and more a subject to these states than to the king, and strangely avaricious' (Nicholas Papers, Camd. Soc, i. 268). At Whitsuntide 1653 Cromwell persuaded the States to banish him, but he lingered for a while in Holland, in the hope of regaining the favour of Charles and the court (Cat. of Clarendon State Papers, ii. 148, 158, 277). At the Restoration he petitioned for payment of his salary as resident, and vainly urged the king to appoint him judge in Scotland (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1660, p. 298, 1660–1, p. 460). He returned to Holland, and by warrant, dated 10 April 1665, was authorised to 'transact certain affairs of importance there and correspond with the secretaries of state' (ib. 1664–5, p. 300). During the war with the Dutch, Macdowell was kept a close prisoner, and even threatened with torture for traitorously corresponding with England (ib. 1666–7, pp. 143, 192, 198). He died in 1666 (ib. 1665–6, p. 532). He married first, in 1617, Bernardina van Frittema, and secondly, Elizabeth Alberda (d. 1652), daughter of Regnerus Alberda van Zandt, and widow of Sicco van Botnia.
Macdowell's 'Answer' to the English envoys was printed at the Hague in 1651, both in English and Dutch. The English version was reprinted in the 'Harleian Miscellany,' ed. 1810, v. 251. Replies to it were published at London, also in 1651, under the title of 'Anglia Liberata.' Macdowell was likewise author of 'Collegium juridico-politicum,' 4to, Groningen, 1628.
In contemporary records Macdowell's name appears in various forms, such as 'Macdougall' and 'Macdonnell.' During the Commonwealth period he is nearly always styled 'Sir,' but there is no evidence of his having been knighted. His portrait has been twice engraved.
[Effigies et Vitæ Professorum Academiæ Groningæ, 1654, pp. 71–4; Scheltema's Staatkundig Nederland, ii. 49–51; Nicholas Papers (Camd. Soc.), i. 320, 321; Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1637 p. 208, 1651 pp. 31, 309, 389; Evans's Cat. of Engraved Portraits, ii. 262.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.189
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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| 67 | ii | 35 | Macdowell, William: after 262 insert Addit. MS. 15858, ff . 68, 70 |