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Author: MCDERMOT, M.

Biography:

MCDERMOT, M. (d 1830: RLF file 563)

“M. McDermot” (or M’Dermot) is almost certainly Martin McDermot who lived in London in the 1820s, contributed to and edited periodicals, and published prose. Although none of his title pages nor his application to the RLF name the earlier books of verse issued in Dublin and Belfast, library catalogues link the poet with the prose writer. Further evidence comes from the publication in 1822 of stanzas from his Vale of Verna in the European Magazine where they appear as extracts from “an unpublished poem.” Martin McDermot contributed essays to the European Magazine before serving as editor 1823-25. (Possibly he wrote the puffing review of his own Critical Dissertation printed in the same issue as the extract from Vale of Verna.) He wrote various prose works—A New and Impartial History of Ireland (1820-23), A Philosophical Inquiry into the Source of the Pleasures Derived from Tragic Representations (1824), Critical Dissertation into the Nature and Principles of Taste (1822), and a three-volume novel, The Mystery Developed (1825)—in addition to the books he wrote or edited which are listed in this database. No records for his early life, parents, and education have been located but some information about his later years is found in his applications to the RLF. He first sought assistance from the fund in May 1826 when he was living in Kingsland Road, London. His applications name the Bishop of Salisbury, Thomas Campbell, and Martin Shee (qq.v.) as supporters. When the European Magazine changed ownership in 1825, he started a weekly, Spectator Revived, but the publishers went bankrupt after the twelfth issue. He was married—his wife’s name was Elizabeth—and they had two children. In 1827 he started a school but the venture seems to have been unsuccessful. One letter to the Fund refutes any suggestion that he was intemperate in his habits. The RLF awarded him a total of £35, but by the time the final £5 was sent in early July 1830, McDermot had died. His wife wrote twice to the RLF after his death but was not given any further awards. (WorldCat; European Magazine 81 [1822]; RLF file 563; EN2)

 

Books written (3):

Belfast: Printed by Joseph Smyth, 1815