Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ryan, Edward (d.1819)

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642769Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 50 — Ryan, Edward (d.1819)1897Charlotte Fell Smith

RYAN, EDWARD, D.D. (d. 1819), prebendary of St. Patrick's, Dublin, second son of John Philip Ryan, by his wife, Miss Murphy, was born in Ireland. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, as a scholar, 1767, graduated B.A. 1769, M.A. 1773, LL.B. 1779, B.D. 1782, and D.D. in 1789. He was curate at St. Anne's, Dublin, from 1776, vicar of St. Luke's, Dublin, and prebendary of St. Patrick's from 16 June 1790 until his death in January 1819. Although some of his family were strictly catholic, Ryan strenuously attacked catholicism in a ‘History of the Effects of Religion on Mankind’ (vol. i. London, 1788, 8vo, vol. ii. 1793; 3rd ed. Edinburgh, 1806, 8vo). It was translated into French (‘Bienfaits de la Religion,’ Paris, 1810, 8vo). The proceeds of the publication Ryan devoted to the poor of the parish of St. Luke's. Other works by him are: 1. ‘A Short but Comprehensive View of the Evidences of the Mosaic and Christian Codes,’ &c., Dublin, 1795, 8vo. 2. ‘An Analysis of Ward's Errata of the Protestant Bible’ (published 1688), Dublin, 1808, 8vo; this was answered by Dr. Milner in ‘An Inquiry into certain Opinions concerning the Catholic Inhabitants of Ireland,’ &c.; 3rd ed. London, 1818. 3. ‘Letter to G. Ensor, &c., to which are added Reasons for being a Christian,’ Dublin, 1811, 8vo.

[Cat. of Grad. Trin. Coll. Dublin, p. 499; Cotton's Fasti Eccles. Hib. ii. 163*, 185, v. 125; Biogr. Dict. of Living Authors, 1816, p. 303; Gent. Mag. 1819, i. 92; Notes and Queries, 2nd ser. iv. 328, and 3rd ser. iii. 344; Nichols's Literary Illustrations, vii. 106, 137, 149, 183, 825; Monck Mason's History and Antiquities of St. Patrick's, App. pp. lxxxi, lxxxiv; information from C. M. Tenison, esq., of Hobart, Tasmania.]

C. F. S.