Charles Vereker, 2nd Viscount Gort
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Charles Vereker, 2nd Viscount Gort PC (Ire)
(1768 – 11 November 1842), known as Charles Vereker until 1817, was a British soldier and politician.
in the Irish House of Commons
from 1790 until the Act of Union
in 1801. On 5 September 1798 at Collooney he checked the advance of a French force, led by General Humbert, that had landed at Killala Bay
, County Sligo whereupon they were defeated at Ballinamuck, where he was wounded. In 1802 he was elected to the British House of Commons
for Limerick
, a seat he held until 1817, and served as a Lord of the Treasury
between 1807 and 1812. He was sworn of the Irish Privy Council
in 1809 and, having succeeded his uncle as second Viscount Gort in 1817, was elected an Irish Representative Peer
in 1824. He also held the honorary posts of Constable of Limerick Castle from 1809 to 1842 and Governor of County Galway from 1814 to 1831.
He was amongst the most active opponents of the Union—"his name was found in every division and his voice in every debate;" and in answer to Lord Castlereagh's overtures he declared: "I have defended my country with my blood, and there is nothing in the gift of the Crown that would tempt me to betray her by my vote." After the Union he represented Limerick until 1817, when by the death of his uncle he became Viscount Gort. He was a firm adherent of the Conservative party.
. Lady Gort died in April 1858.
Following the battle at 1798 conflict at Colloney the thanks of Parliament were voted to him, and by royal proclamation he was permitted to adopt "Collooney" as the motto of his family.
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
(1768 – 11 November 1842), known as Charles Vereker until 1817, was a British soldier and politician.
Background
Gort was the son of Thomas Vereker by Juliana, daughter of Charles Smyth and sister of John Prendergast-Smyth, 1st Viscount Gort and was born in Ireland in 1768. He served a short time in the navy, and was afterwards appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Limerick militia.Political career
Gort represented Limerick CityLimerick City (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Limerick City was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
in the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
from 1790 until the Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
in 1801. On 5 September 1798 at Collooney he checked the advance of a French force, led by General Humbert, that had landed at Killala Bay
Killala Bay
Killala Bay is a bay on the west coast of Ireland between County Mayo and County Sligo. It is situated between Lenadoon Point and Downpatrick Head and is the estuary for the River Moy....
, County Sligo whereupon they were defeated at Ballinamuck, where he was wounded. In 1802 he was elected to the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
for Limerick
Limerick City (UK Parliament constituency)
Limerick City was a United Kingdom Parliament constituency, in Ireland. It returned one MP 1801–1832, two MPs 1832–1885 and one thereafter. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801...
, a seat he held until 1817, and served as a Lord of the Treasury
Lord of the Treasury
In the United Kingdom, there are at least six Lords of the Treasury who serve concurrently. Traditionally, this board consists of the First Lord of the Treasury, the Second Lord of the Treasury, and four or more junior lords .Strictly they are commissioners for exercising the office of Lord...
between 1807 and 1812. He was sworn of the Irish Privy Council
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
in 1809 and, having succeeded his uncle as second Viscount Gort in 1817, was elected an Irish Representative Peer
Representative peer
In the United Kingdom, representative peers were those peers elected by the members of the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland to sit in the British House of Lords...
in 1824. He also held the honorary posts of Constable of Limerick Castle from 1809 to 1842 and Governor of County Galway from 1814 to 1831.
He was amongst the most active opponents of the Union—"his name was found in every division and his voice in every debate;" and in answer to Lord Castlereagh's overtures he declared: "I have defended my country with my blood, and there is nothing in the gift of the Crown that would tempt me to betray her by my vote." After the Union he represented Limerick until 1817, when by the death of his uncle he became Viscount Gort. He was a firm adherent of the Conservative party.
Family
Lord Gort was twice married. He married firstly Jane, daughter of Ralph Westropp, in 1789. After her death in February 1798 he married secondly Elizabeth, daughter of John Palliser, in 1810. There were children from both marriages. Lord Gort died on 11 November 1842, aged 74, and was succeeded by his son from his first marriage, JohnJohn Vereker, 3rd Viscount Gort
John Prendergast Vereker, 3rd Viscount Gort , was a British peer and politician.-Background and education:Gort was the son of Charles Vereker, 2nd Viscount Gort, and his first wife Jane, daughter of Ralph Westropp...
. Lady Gort died in April 1858.
Following the battle at 1798 conflict at Colloney the thanks of Parliament were voted to him, and by royal proclamation he was permitted to adopt "Collooney" as the motto of his family.