Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wright, George Newenham

by David James O'Donoghue

WRIGHT, GEORGE NEWENHAM (1790?–1877), miscellaneous writer, was the son of John Thomas Wright, M.D., and was born, probably in Dublin, in 1790. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, whence he matriculated in 1809. He was a scholar in 1812, and graduated B.A. in 1814 and M.A. in 1817. He was admitted ad eundem at Oxford University on 2 May 1836. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1818, and held several curacies in Ireland. Subsequently he was appointed reader of St. Mary Woolnoth, London, and master of Tewkesbury grammar school. He died in 1877.

Besides several guide books and other works of little value, Wright's publications are:

1. ‘Rudiments of the Greek Language,’ 1820, 8vo.
2. ‘An Historical Guide to Ancient and Modern Dublin,’ illustrated by engravings after drawings by G. Petrie, London, 1821, 12mo; 1825.
3. ‘Ireland illustrated in a Series of Views from Drawings by Petrie,’ London, 1829, 4to.
4. ‘Landscape Historical Illustrations of Scotland and the Waverley Novels,’ 1831.
5. ‘Scenes in North Wales,’ illustrated, London, 1833, 12mo.
6. ‘Scenes in Ireland,’ with historical legends, illustrated, London, 1834, 12mo.
7. ‘A New and Comprehensive Gazetteer,’ London, 1834–8, 5 vols. 8vo.
8. ‘Life and Reign of William IV’ (in collaboration with John Watkins), 1837.
9. ‘The Shores and Islands of the Mediterranean,’ with engravings, London, 1839, 4to.
10. ‘Lancashire, its History, Legends, and Manufactures,’ London, 1842, 8vo.
11. ‘Life and Campaigns of Arthur, Duke of Wellington,’ 1841, 4 vols. 4to.
12. ‘Life and Times of Louis Philippe,’ 1841, 8vo.
13. ‘China, in a Series of Views,’ 1843, 4 vols. 4to.
14. ‘The People's Gallery of Engravings,’ 1845–6, 3 vols. 4to.
15. ‘France Illustrated,’ 1845–7, 4 vols. 4to.
16. ‘Belgium, the Rhine, Italy, and Greece,’ illustrated, 1849, 2 vols. 4to.

He also edited the ‘Works of George Berkeley’ (1843), the ‘Works of Thomas Reid’ (1843, 8vo), and ‘Dugald Stewart's Elements of Philosophy of the Human Mind’ (1843). He contributed the Welsh and Irish portions to Gorton's ‘Topographical Dictionary.’

[Brit. Mus. Cat.; Allibone's Dict. of Engl. Lit.; Todd's List of Dubl. Graduates; Foster's Alumni Oxon.]

D. J. O'D.