'''Francis Magan''' was a [[[[United Irishman|theThe Society of United Irishman]]Irishmen]], [[barrister]] and informer. He was born 24 May 1774 in Dublin, descended of an ancient catholic family from Co. Westmeath, the Magans of Umma-more (Emoe). His grandfather, James Magan, established a medical practice in Dublin, where he was succeeded by his eldest son, Richard. Thomas Magan, James's second son, became a woollen draper, establishing himself at 49 High St., Dublin. Active politically, Thomas represented Dundalk at the [[Catholic Convention of 1792]]. Loyal to the crown, however, he was named wool draper and mercer to the king in 1794, an honorary title he probably owed to his friend [[Francis Higgins]] (qv), owner of a well-known government ‘print’, the [[Freeman's Journal]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Irish Biography|publisher=Cambrudge University Press|isbn=9780521633314}}</ref>
Magan was admitted to [[TCD]] in 1788, although he did not attend before 1791. He joined the [[College Historical Society]] but was never active. In May 1794 he signed the oath of loyalty required of any aspiring catholic barrister and went to London to study at [[Lincoln's Inn]]. Returning to Dublin in 1796, he was admitted to the Irish bar by [[King's Inns]] in Michelmas term. The published records of the [[King's Inns]] state he had been employed in the Irish revenue, but this is unconfirmed.
