John Macky facts for kids

John Macky (who passed away in 1726) was a clever Scottish spy and writer. From 1688 to 1710, he managed a very successful spy network. This network gathered important information across the English Channel, mainly about threats to England from a group called the Jacobites. Macky also wrote several books. These books showed his travels, his ideas about politics, and his connections to important people of his time.

John Macky: A Secret Agent's Life

Early Life and First Missions

We don't know much about John Macky's parents or his early years. After a big event called the Glorious Revolution in 1688, the English government sent Macky to France. His job was to find out what the Jacobites were planning. He was very good at his job and managed to get inside the Jacobite court. This court was located at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

In 1692, Macky was the first person to warn the authorities. He told them that the exiled King James II was planning to invade England. King James II had fled to France from England earlier. In October 1693, Macky was given a special role. He became the inspector of the coast from Harwich to Dover. His main task was to stop any secret messages or information from enemies.

Uncovering Plots and Writing Books

In 1696, Macky found out about a secret plan. This was the 1696 Jacobite assassination plot to harm important people. After he revealed this plot, he wrote a book. It was called A View of the Court of St Germains from the Year 1690 to 1695. In this book, he criticized King James II's court in exile.

While in England, Macky became well-known among the important people at the courts of King William III and Queen Anne. He had such good access that he made a long list. This list described many courtiers, their family connections, how the monarch treated them, and even their personal habits.

Later Missions and Challenges

In 1702, Macky traveled to Zakynthos to look after an estate he owned with others. After the Battle of Ramillies in 1706, a powerful leader named the Earl of Godolphin put Macky in charge of the packet boats to Ostend. These boats carried mail and passengers.

Macky supported the ideas of the Whig political group. In 1708, he started working for Robert Walpole, another important figure. Macky's spy network was super important in February and March 1708. It helped discover the Jacobite plans to invade Scotland. That same year, he also found out about preparations for a military force at Dunkirk.

However, later on, the authorities became suspicious of him. This was because he had close connections with many Jacobites. He was put in prison, but he was released in 1714. This happened after George I became king.

Final Years and Family

Macky then worked as the Director of the Packet Boats at Dover. He used money from his marriage to build five new boats. But running these boats became too expensive. Macky then went abroad and passed away in Rotterdam in 1726.

Macky married Sarah Spring. She was the only daughter of Sir William Spring, 2nd Baronet and Sarah, who was the daughter of Sir Robert Cordell, 1st Baronet. In 1733, their son, Spring Macky, published a book. It was called Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky. This book contains many biographies and descriptions of important political figures from that time. It's an early example of how people kept track of others in detail. Before the book was published, Jonathan Swift added notes to the memoirs.