John Macky facts for kids
John Macky (died 1726) was a Scottish spy and writer. Between 1688 and 1710 he ran a successful intelligence gathering network across the English Channel, principally concerned with Jacobite threats to England. He was also the author of several publications which reflected his travel, political outlook and access to leading figures of the period.
Biography
Nothing is known of Macky's parentage or early life. Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Macky was sent to France by the English government to provide information about Jacobite activity. He successfully infiltrated the Jacobite court at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. In 1692, he was the first person to inform the authorities of the exiled James II's intended invasion of England after the former king had fled to France from England. In October 1693 he was made inspector of the coast from Harwich to Dover, tasked with intercepting hostile communications and intelligence. In 1696 he discovered information related to the 1696 Jacobite assassination plot and after its disclosure he published an attack on James II's exiled court in A View of the Court of St Germains from the Year 1690 to 1695. In England, he became familiar with the leading figures at the courts of William III and Queen Anne. His access was such that he was able to make an extensive list of many courtiers' characteristics, family connections, treatment by the monarch and personal foibles.
In 1702 Macky went to look after an estate possessed by him and others on Zakynthos. Following the Battle of Ramillies in 1706, Macky was given direction of the packet boats to Ostend by the Earl of Godolphin. Aligned with the politics of the Whig faction, in 1708 he came into the pay of Robert Walpole. Macky's network of spies was crucial to the discovery in February and March 1708 of the Jacobite plans to invade Scotland and that year he also discovered the preparations for an armament at Dunkirk. Subsequently, however, he came under the suspicion of the authorities owing to his close connection with many Jacobites and was imprisoned, but was released in 1714 following the accession of George I. He served as Director of the Packet Boats at Dover and used the dowry from his marriage to fund the construction of five boats. The operation proved too costly and Macky went abroad, dying in Rotterdam in 1726.
Macky married Sarah Spring, the only daughter of Sir William Spring, 2nd Baronet and Sarah, daughter of Sir Robert Cordell, 1st Baronet. In 1733 their son, Spring Macky, published Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky. The memoirs contain extensive biographies and descriptions of important political figures of the period, providing an early written example of extensive surveillance. Notes to the memories were appended by Jonathan Swift prior to publication.
