John FitzGerald, Baron FitzGerald
Encyclopedia
John David FitzGerald, Baron FitzGerald PC
, PC (Ire)
(1 May 1816 – 16 October 1889) was an Irish
judge and Liberal
politician.
and his youngest sister Emily to Denis Caulfield Heron
. FitzGerald was educated at Trinity College, Dublin
and was called to the bar by King's Inns
in 1838. In 1870, he received a Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Dublin
.
in 1847 and was judge of the Munster circuit. He entered the British House of Commons
in 1852, sitting for Ennis
the next eight years. In 1855, FitzGerald was first elected a Bencher
, then nominated Solicitor-General for Ireland
. He became Attorney-General for Ireland
already one year later, on which appointment he was sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland
. FitzGerald held the former post until 1858 and after a break for a year, again until 1860, when he was appointed Judge on the Court of Queen's Bench (Ireland). On 23 June 1882, he was created a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
with the title Baron FitzGerald, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Dublin. Six days later, he was additionally sworn of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
.
. By his second wife, he had four sons and six daughters.
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, PC (Ire)
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...
(1 May 1816 – 16 October 1889) was an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
judge and Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician.
Background
Born in Dublin, he was the son of the merchant David FitzGerald and his wife Catherine, eldest daughter of David Leahy. His sister Kate was married to Charles Robert BarryCharles Robert Barry
Charles Robert Barry QC, PC was an Irish lawyer who rose to become a Lord Justice of Appeal for Ireland.-Legal and judicial career:Barry was admitted to the Irish Bar in 1848 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1859...
and his youngest sister Emily to Denis Caulfield Heron
Denis Caulfield Heron
Denis Caulfield Heron LL.D QC was an Irish lawyer and Catholic Liberal MP for Tipperary.Born in Newry, County Down, he was educated at Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse....
. FitzGerald was educated at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
and was called to the bar by King's Inns
King's Inns
The Honorable Society of King's Inns , is the institution which controls the entry of barristers-at-law into the justice system of Ireland...
in 1838. In 1870, he received a Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
.
Career
FitzGerald became a Queen's CounselQueen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1847 and was judge of the Munster circuit. He entered 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...
in 1852, sitting for Ennis
Ennis (UK Parliament constituency)
Ennis is a former United Kingdom Parliament constituency, in Ireland, returning one MP. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801.-Members of Parliament:Notes:-...
the next eight years. In 1855, FitzGerald was first elected a Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
, then nominated 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...
. He became Attorney-General for Ireland
Attorney-General for Ireland
The Attorney-General for Ireland was an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was senior to the Solicitor-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters...
already one year later, on which appointment he was sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland
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...
. FitzGerald held the former post until 1858 and after a break for a year, again until 1860, when he was appointed Judge on the Court of Queen's Bench (Ireland). On 23 June 1882, he was created a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, commonly known as Law Lords, were appointed under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 to the House of Lords of the United Kingdom in order to exercise its judicial functions, which included acting as the highest court of appeal for most domestic matters...
with the title Baron FitzGerald, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Dublin. Six days later, he was additionally sworn of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
.
Family
In 1846, he married firstly Rose, second daughter of John O'Donohue, and had by her three sons. She died in 1850 and FitzGerald remarried Hon. Jane Matilda Mary, daughter of Arthur Francis Southwell and sister of Thomas Southwell, 4th Viscount SouthwellThomas Southwell, 4th Viscount Southwell
Thomas Arthur Joseph Southwell, 4th Viscount Southwell KP was an Irish peer. He became Viscount Southwell in 1860 on the death of Thomas Southwell, 3rd Viscount Southwell and was appointed a Knight of the Order of St Patrick on 2 August 1871....
. By his second wife, he had four sons and six daughters.