John Bowes, 1st Baron Bowes PC (I)

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...

 (1691 – 22 July 1767) was an Irish

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 peer and politician.

Life

He was born in London, son of Thomas Bowes, a merchant, and was called to the Bar in 1712. He came to Ireland as a member of the staff of Richard West

Richard West

Richard West may refer to:*Richard West, 7th Baron De La Warr and 4th Baron West *Richard West , 18th century Irish politician and lawyer*Richard West , member of British rock band Threshold*Mr...

, the Lord Chancellor in 1723. He built up a large practice at the Irish Bar; was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland

Solicitor-General for Ireland

The Solicitor-General for Ireland was the holder of an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was a deputy to the Attorney-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters. At least one holder of the office, Patrick Barnewall played a significant role in...

 in 1730, and Attorney-General in 1739. He was raised to the Bench as Lord Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer in 1741.

He was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland

Lord Chancellor of Ireland

The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...

 by King George II

George II of Great Britain

George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...

 in 1757. John Bowes epitomized the severe 18th century Penal Laws against Irish Catholics when he ruled that: “The law does not suppose any such person to exist as an Irish Roman Catholic" Such views inevitably made him unpopular, and in 1760 he was attacked during a riot; on the other hand in spite of his bigotry he was considered one of the outstanding judges of his time Between 1731 and 1742, he represented Taghmon

Taghmon (Parliament of Ireland constituency)

Taghmon was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 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...

. He was considered one of the finest speakers of his time; his speech for the prosecution at the trial of Lord Santry was described by the audience as a masterpiece of eloquence and logic.