James Graham Leslie
Encyclopedia
James Graham Leslie was a unionist politician
in Northern Ireland
.
Leslie studied at Gray's Inn
and briefly went into the law, before joining the Contract Department of the British Foreign Office. In 1907, he served as High Sheriff of Antrim
. He resigned when given control of his family estates, and sat as an Irish Unionist Party
councillor in County Antrim
. In 1921, he was elected for the Ulster Unionist Party
to the first Senate of Northern Ireland
, and served until his death in 1949. Given his experience in drafting, he played a key role in maintaining the chamber as an institution capable of revising bills from the lower chamber.
From 1945 to 1949, Leslie served as the Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Leslie studied at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
and briefly went into the law, before joining the Contract Department of the British Foreign Office. In 1907, he served as High Sheriff of Antrim
High Sheriff of Antrim
The High Sheriff of Antrim is the Sovereign's judicial representative in County Antrim. Initially an office for lifetime, assigned by the Sovereign, the High Sheriff became annually appointed from the Provisions of Oxford in 1258...
. He resigned when given control of his family estates, and sat as an Irish Unionist Party
Irish Unionist Party
The Irish Unionist Alliance was a Unionist party founded in Ireland in 1891 to oppose plans for Gladstonian and Parnellite Home Rule for Ireland. The party was led for much of its life by Colonel Edward James Saunderson and later by the William St John Brodrick, Earl of Midleton...
councillor in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. In 1921, he was elected for the Ulster Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
to the first Senate of Northern Ireland
Senate of Northern Ireland
The Senate of Northern Ireland was the upper house of the Parliament of Northern Ireland created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It was abolished with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.-Powers:...
, and served until his death in 1949. Given his experience in drafting, he played a key role in maintaining the chamber as an institution capable of revising bills from the lower chamber.
From 1945 to 1949, Leslie served as the Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
This is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Antrim. The office was created on 23 August 1831.*Charles O'Neill, 1st Earl O'Neill 17 October 1831 – 25 March 1841*George Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall 24 April 1841 – 20 October 1883...
.