Dungal, a writer of the 9th century, an Irishman, who settled in France, probably on account of the Danish invasions of Ireland. He became eminent as a teacher, and his latter days were devoted to cultivating philosophy and astronomy. His reputation in the latter science became so great that in 811 he was consulted by Charlemagne concerning an eclipse which had taken place the year before. In 827 he wrote a treatise in defence of images, against Claude, Bishop of Turin, printed in 1608. Some of his poetical pieces are stated to have been printed in a collection of poems published in France in 1729. The date of his death is not known. 42 339
Dunkin, William, D.D., a friend of Swift and Delany (one of the witnesses to the former's will), was gratuitously educated at Trinity College, to which a relative of his had bequeathed an estate. He was probably of the family of the Rev. Patrick Dunkin, whose metrical Latin translations of some Irish ranns are acknowledged by Archbishop Ussher. He was ordained in 1735— in which year we find him repaying Swift's friendship and patronage by assisting him in his poetical controversy with Bettesworth. In 1737 Swift endeavoured to obtain for him an English living, writing of him: "He is a gentleman of much wit, and the best English as well as Latin poet in the kingdom. He is a pious man, highly esteemed." This appeal was fruitless; Dunkin was, however, placed by Lord Chesterfield over the Endowed School of Enniskillen. He died about 1746. A collected edition of his poems and epistles appeared in 2 vols, in 1774. 39
Dunlap, John, an American Revolutionary patriot, was born at Strabane, 1747. At the age of eight or nine he went to live with his uncle William, a printer and publisher of Philadelphia. When but eighteer he took sole charge of his uncle's business, and in November 1771 commenced the Pennsylvania Packet, and before long became one of the most successful printers and editors of the country. During the British occupation of Philadelphia he brought out his paper at Lancaster. From 1784 it became a daily paper—the first in the United States: it now bears the title of the North American and United States Gazette. As printer to Congress, he first issued the "Declaration of Independence," and he was an officer in Washington's body-guard at Trenton and Princeton. He proved his earnestness in the cause of independence by subscribing £4,000 to supply provisions for the army. He acquired a large fortune by his talents and industry, and died in Philadelphia, 27th November 1812, aged about 65. 37
Duns Scotus, John, was born about 1274,339 if in Ireland, as is probable, either at Downpatrick or Taghmon. He was educated at Oxford, where he became a Fellow, and in 1301 was appointed to the chair of divinity, drawing "upwards of 30,000 students to his lectures." In 1304 he removed to Paris, where he held a celebrated disputation on the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, in which he answered 200 objections, and "established the doctrine by a cloud of arguments." In Paris he was created Doctor of Divinity, and the divinity schools were committed to his care. Afterwards he removed to Cologne, being escorted into the city in a triumphal car by "nearly all the citizens." His career was cut short by an attack of apoplexy, on 8th November 1308 (aged about 34). His collected works were edited at Lyons in 1639 in 12 vols, folio, by Luke Wadding, his biographer. Duns Scotus was esteemed the chief ornament of the Franciscan order. His writings are principally commentaries on the Scriptures and on Aristotle, with some treatises on grammar, and sermons. He was the head of the Scotists in opposition to the Thomists, or followers of Thomas Aquinas. 196 339
Dwyer, Michael, an insurgent leader in 1798, was born in 1771. In the summer of 1798 he took refuge in the Wicklow mountains, and held out for many months against the Government, at first with Holt, and afterwards with his own band. Conflicting accounts are given of his conduct; by some he is said to have repressed outrages among his followers, while others relate shocking atrocities perpetrated by his party. On the evening of Emmet's emeute in 1803, Dwyer led nearly 500 men to his assistance at Rathfarnham, but retired to the mountains without effecting anything. Eventually he gave himself up, and was sent to New South Wales, where he received an appointment in the police. He died in 1815. He is described as a handsome and intelligent man. 87 154
Eccles, Ambrose, a commentator and arranger of Shakspere, was born in Ireland in the course of the 18th century. He received a college education, and devoted himself to literary pursuits, publishing editions of Cymbeline (1793), Lear (1793), Merchant of Venice (1805). The Biographia Dramatica says: "Each volume contains not only notes and illustrations of various commentators, with remarks by the editor, but the several critical and historical essays that have appeared at
