Katherine Plunket
Encyclopedia
Katherine Plunket was an Irish
aristocrat from County Louth
, a prolific botanical
artist and the oldest person
in Irish history. Plunket is one of the few supercentenarians to have been the only living super-centenarian during their time, and among them she have the record of being the only living super-centenarian for the longest period of time; from her 110th birthday on 22 November 1930, to her death on 14 October 1932 - nearly two years. Plunket is also notable for being the first human to live in 13 different calendar decades (since the common calendar
starts with year 1 and her birth-year, 1820, therefore belongs to the calendar's 182nd decade, 1811-1820).
in County Louth
. The eldest of six children, one of whom died in infancy, she was a granddaughter of a William Plunket
, Lord Chancellor of Ireland
, who became the first Baron Plunket
. Her father Thomas Plunket (1792–1866), who was a junior Church of Ireland
clergyman when she was born, later became the Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
. He also inherited his father's title, becoming the 2nd Baron Plunket.
Her mother Louise Jane Foster (married in 1819) was the daughter of John William Foster
of Fanevalley, County Louth, Member of Parliament
for Dunleer
, and was related to the Earl of Clermont
. Her first and second cousins included three titled members of the Irish aristocracy. She was baptised in Kilsaran Church on 13 December 1820 as Catherine Plunket, though she spelled her name with a K for her entire life.
She inherited from her mother one of the family's ancestral homes, Ballymascanlon House near Dundalk, and oversaw the upkeep of the home and gardens until she contracted bronchitis
at the age of 102 (her only serious health problem). The house is now a hotel.
, and was later transferred to the Museum of Science and Art in the National Museum of Ireland
. In 1970 it was part of the collections which were transferred to the Irish National Botanic Gardens
at Glasnevin
.
, at the age of 108 years and 12 days, spanning a little over three years. As well as being the longest-lived Irish person, Plunket lived longer than anyone who died in Ireland or Britain until 1970, when Ada Roe
lived to be 12 days older. She was also the last living person who had met Sir Walter Scott, when he stayed at her grandfather
's house in Bray
while she was visiting. Plunket credited her longevity to a carefree aspect of life. She was included in the first ever Guinness Book of Records (published in 1955), and is the only alleged supercentenarian
listed then to stand the burden of scrutiny in the years since.
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...
aristocrat from County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, a prolific botanical
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
artist and the oldest person
Oldest people
This is a list of tables of the verified oldest people in the world in ordinal rank, such as oldest person or oldest man. In these tables, a supercentenarian is considered 'verified' if his or her claim has been validated by an international body that specifically deals in longevity research, such...
in Irish history. Plunket is one of the few supercentenarians to have been the only living super-centenarian during their time, and among them she have the record of being the only living super-centenarian for the longest period of time; from her 110th birthday on 22 November 1930, to her death on 14 October 1932 - nearly two years. Plunket is also notable for being the first human to live in 13 different calendar decades (since the common calendar
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter...
starts with year 1 and her birth-year, 1820, therefore belongs to the calendar's 182nd decade, 1811-1820).
Family
Plunket was born at Kilsaran, near CastlebellinghamCastlebellingham
Castlebellingham is a village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. The village has got a lot quieter since the construction of the new M1 motorway which bypasses the village...
in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The eldest of six children, one of whom died in infancy, she was a granddaughter of a William Plunket
William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket
William Conyngham Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket PC was an Irish politician and lawyer who eventually became Lord Chancellor of Ireland....
, 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:...
, who became the first Baron Plunket
Baron Plunket
Baron Plunket, of Newtown in the County of Cork, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1827 for the prominent Irish lawyer and Whig politician William Plunket. He served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1830 and 1834 and again from 1835 to 1841. His eldest son, the...
. Her father Thomas Plunket (1792–1866), who was a junior Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
clergyman when she was born, later became the Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
The Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry is the Church of Ireland Ordinary of the united Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry in the Province of Armagh. The present incumbent is the Right Reverend Patrick Rooke....
. He also inherited his father's title, becoming the 2nd Baron Plunket.
Her mother Louise Jane Foster (married in 1819) was the daughter of John William Foster
John William Foster
John William Foster , of Rosy Park, was an Irish volunteer and politician.He was the son of John Foster of Dunleer, MP for Dunleer and Elizabeth, née Fortescue. Foster was appointed High Sheriff of Louth for 1776 and then elected member to the Irish House of Commons for Dunleer in 1783 and held...
of Fanevalley, County Louth, Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Dunleer
Dunleer
Dunleer is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland.Dunleer town is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda. It is the principal Town Borough in the Barony of Ferrard. It has a Charter dating back to 1252...
, and was related to the Earl of Clermont
Earl of Clermont
Viscount Clermont, of Clermont in the County of Louth, was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1776 for William Fortescue, 1st Baron Clermont, with remainder in default of male issue of his own to his brother James Fortescue and the heirs male of his body. He was the son of Thomas...
. Her first and second cousins included three titled members of the Irish aristocracy. She was baptised in Kilsaran Church on 13 December 1820 as Catherine Plunket, though she spelled her name with a K for her entire life.
She inherited from her mother one of the family's ancestral homes, Ballymascanlon House near Dundalk, and oversaw the upkeep of the home and gardens until she contracted bronchitis
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
at the age of 102 (her only serious health problem). The house is now a hotel.
Botanical illustration
With her younger sister Gertrude (1841–1924), Plunket traveled widely and visited almost every capital in Europe. With her sister Frederica (1838–1886) she made many sketches of flowers in France, Italy, Spain and Germany, and Ireland. These were bound in a volume which was presented in 1903 to the Royal College of ScienceRoyal College of Science for Ireland
The Royal College of Science for Ireland was created as a result of a decision of HM Treasury in 1865 to merge a number of science-oriented education bodies including the Museum of Irish Industry and Government School of Science applied to Mining and the Arts. It was originally based at 51 St...
, and was later transferred to the Museum of Science and Art in the National Museum of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
. In 1970 it was part of the collections which were transferred to the Irish National Botanic Gardens
Irish National Botanic Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens are located in Glasnevin, 5 km north-west of Dublin city centre, Ireland...
at Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
.
Longevity
Although it was not known at the time, Plunket became the oldest recognised person in the world at 8:00 a.m. on 4 December 1928, after the death of Delina FilkinsDelina Filkins
Delina Filkins, née Ecker was an American supercentenarian who was the earliest verified person to reach the ages of 112 and 113, in 1927 and 1928, respectively. Filkins was the first verified person to surpass the longest confirmed lifespan by two years...
, at the age of 108 years and 12 days, spanning a little over three years. As well as being the longest-lived Irish person, Plunket lived longer than anyone who died in Ireland or Britain until 1970, when Ada Roe
Ada Roe
Ada Roe, née Giddings was a British supercentenarian. She was born in Islington, England, and moved to Lowestoft over 60 years before her death with her husband, who died shortly afterwards. Roe was the oldest recognised living person between c. October 1968 and her death aged 111 years 339 days...
lived to be 12 days older. She was also the last living person who had met Sir Walter Scott, when he stayed at her grandfather
William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket
William Conyngham Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket PC was an Irish politician and lawyer who eventually became Lord Chancellor of Ireland....
's house in Bray
Bray
Bray is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a busy urban centre and seaside resort, with a population of 31,901 making it the fourth largest in Ireland as of the 2006 census...
while she was visiting. Plunket credited her longevity to a carefree aspect of life. She was included in the first ever Guinness Book of Records (published in 1955), and is the only alleged supercentenarian
Supercentenarian
A supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....
listed then to stand the burden of scrutiny in the years since.