- John Allen (historian)
John Allen M.D. (
3 February 1771 -10 April 1843 ) was a prominent eighteenth and nineteenth century political and historical writer, and Master of the College of God's Gift in Dulwich (then colloquially calledDulwich College ).Brian Harrison (ed), (2004), "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", pages 309-310, (Oxford University Press)]Early life
John Allen was born at
Redfoord in the parish ofColinton nearEdinburgh . His father, James Allen, was the owner of the small estate ofRedfoord and was awriter to the Signet . When his father became bankrupt his mother's family and his step-father ensured that he had a good education. In time he was apprenticed to an Edinburgh surgeon by the name of Arnot. Whilst there his companion in instruction wasProfessor Thomson who would be a lifelong friend.Early career
In 1791 he became M.D. of the
University of Edinburgh . After achieving his M.D. he waited for a practice inEdinburgh and whilst doing so lectured on medical topics with students includingFrancis Horner being attracted. He also translatedCuvier 's "Introduction to the Study of the Animal Economy ".He was also known for his promotion of the cause of political reform in
Scotland and had a deep knowledge of constitutional history. This led to him being one of the few to whom a plan of theEdinburgh Review was communicated.Association with Lord Holland
Trips Abroad
In 1801 it became known that
Lord Holland required the services of "a clever young Scotch medical man" to accompany him toSpain . Allen was recommended [Reports differ as to who made the recommendation. It was one of eitherLord Lauderdale orSydney Smith .] John Allen took up the position and accompanied Holland's family remaining abroad until 1805. When he returned he spent much of his time atHolland House . For a brief time in 1806 he held an official position as undersecretary to the commissioners for treating with America. In 1808 he again accompanied Lord Holland to Spain and made a study of the history and social characteristics of the Spanish people. His work towards a volume illustrating the different causes that had checked Spain's progress was never finished. However, in April 1810 two articles were published in theEdinburgh Review onSpanish America .Holland House
John Allen's association with Holland House is perhaps what he is best known for, hence he is often referred to as "Holland House Allen". He spent much time helping Lord Holland find materials for his speeches to the
House of Lords and supplying criticism of those speeches. He sat at the dinner table and carved. He was known to join the family at dinner parties. So associated was he with the house that he had his own room which still bears his name.In his time there he came into contact with many of the most prominent citizens of
London at the time.Byron referred to him as "the best informed and one of the ablest men" the he knew. Others, such as Macaulay,Lord Brougham and Charles Greville are laudatory of him.Dulwich College
In 1811 he was elected to be the Warden of
Dulwich College and from 1820 was the Master of that establishment until his death in 1843 [Ormiston, T. L., (1926), "Dulwich College Register", page 9, (J J Keliher & Co Ltd: London)] . He is not considered one of the great Masters of the College because he spent little time there and did little to further the aims of its founderEdward Alleyn . However, he did leave his Spanish and Italian books to the school.Later life
Apart from the Mastership of
Dulwich College , he was also auditor of theDuchy of Lancaster from 1841 until hsi death. He died on10 April 1843 at 33 South Street (the residence of Lasy Holland) and was buried atMillbrook close to the thirdLord Holland . His great friendProfessor Thomson received his medical books andmanuscripts, andMajor-General Charles Richard Fox was left his other manuscripts and diaries.Publications
It is believed that, had he not spent so much time at Holland House, his contributions to literature would have been more prolific.
*Articles for the
Edinburgh Review including:
**"Constitution of Parliament" (June 1816)
**"Review of Warden's letters from St. Helena" (December 1816) -Napoleon was said to have been surprised by its intitmate knowledge of his early life
**Criticisms ofDr Lingard 's "History of England" (April 1825 and June 1826)
**"Dissertation on creating peers for life" (October 1834)
*"Enquiry into the Rise and Growth of the Royal Prerogative in England" (1830)
*"Vindication of the Ancient Independence of Scotland"The "Memorials and Correspondence of Charles James Fox" had large portions written by Allen, although
Lord John Russell is considered the editor.The life of Fox in the 7th and 8th editions ofEncyclopædia Britannica were written by Allen who was steeped in the history of theWhigs .References
External links
*NRA|P426
s-ttl|title=Master of the College of God's Gift in Dulwich
years=1820–1843Persondata
NAME=Allen, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=British historian
DATE OF BIRTH=1771
PLACE OF BIRTH=Edinburgh
DATE OF DEATH=1843
PLACE OF DEATH=
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