Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/McCausland, Dominick

1440806Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 35 — McCausland, Dominick1893Bernard Barham Woodward

McCAUSLAND, DOMINICK (1806–1873), religious writer, born on 20 Aug. 1806, was third of four sons of Marcus Langford McCausland of Roe Park, co. Londonderry, by his wife, a daughter of John Kennedy of Cultra, co. Down, and aunt of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy [q, v.] The father died in his son's infancy. Dominick was educated successively at the school of the Rev. Dr. Moore of Parkhill, Gloucestershire, and for two years under Dr. Dowdale at the Royal School, Dungannon. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1822, and graduated B.A. in 1827, taking the highest distinction of the university, the gold medal for science, of his year. He proceeded LL.D. in 1859. He 'sat' for a fellowship, but his health failed, and he spent two years on a continental tour.

On his return McCausland studied law, and was called to the Irish bar in 1835. He selected the north-western circuit, and became Q.C. in 1860, In the second administration of Lord Derby (1858-9) McCausland was appointed crown prosecutor, and immediately afterwards was elected 'father,' or president of the circuit bar. He died 28 June 1873. In the midst of a busy practice he found time to write several religious works. Their titles are: 1. 'On the Latter Days of Jewish Church and Nation, as revealed in Apocalypse,' 8vo, Dublin, 1841. 2. 'The Times of the Gentiles as revealed in the Apocalypse,' 8vo, Dublin, 1852; reissued in 1857, These two were subsequently combined in a second edition, and published as 3. 'The Latter Days of Jerusalem and Rome as revealed in the Apocalypse.' 4. 'Sermons in Stones,' 8vo, London, 1856, which reached a thirteen edition, just revised before his death, in 1873 5. 'Adam and the Adamite,' 8vo, London, 1864; 2nd edit. 1868 [i.e. 1867]. 6. 'Shinar,' 8vo, London, 1867. 7. 'The Builders of Babel,' 8vo, London, 1871.

[Memoir by W. D. Ferguson; Sermons in Stones, 13th edit.; Athenæum, 5 July 1878 Dublin Univ. Cat. of Graduates.]

B. B. W.