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. The operation proved too costly and faced with mounting debts, Macky turned to travel writing, producing his first volume in 1714. This was frequently reprinted, and was followed by a second volume in 1722, a third in 1723 and a fourth in 1725. The writings established for Macky a minor literary reputation, although he was best known to contemporaries for his writings on the English and French courts. 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 memoirs were appended by
Jonathan Swift prior to publication. ==Publications==