Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/MacNab, Henry Gray

by John Goldworth Alger

MACNAB, HENRY GRAY or GREY (1761–1823), publicist, was of Scottish extraction, but was born in England in 1761. He seems to have been connected with the Glasgow University, though he held no professorship, and was the friend and disciple of Thomas Reid [q. v.] Visiting France on the conclusion of the treaty of Amiens, he was detained on the resumption of hostilities, and settled at Montpellier to continue his medical studies. On the restoration of peace he remained in France, but interested himself in education in England, adopting some of Robert Owen's ideas, and he corresponded with the Duke of Kent, at whose solicitation he prepared an educational scheme which he intended to put in practice by opening a school in London; but before his arrangements were matured he died in Paris, 3 Feb. 1823, leaving an only child, a daughter. He was buried at Pere la Chaise.

MacNab published:

1. 'A Plan of Reform in English Schools,' Glasgow, 1786.
2. 'Letters on the Coal Duty and Coal Supply,' London, 1793 and 1801.
3. 'Analysis and Analogy in Education,' Paris, 1818.
4. 'New Views of Mr. Owen impartially examined,' London, 1819.
5. 'Observations on the State of the World,' London, 1820. He left incomplete a pamphlet on premature burial.

[Revue Encyclopédique, Paris, 1823; Biog. Univ.; Gent Mag. 1823, i. 378; Alger's Englishmen in French Revolution, London, 1889.]

J. G. A.