Peter Metge
Encyclopedia
Peter Metge was an Irish politician and judge, a colourful character noted for his fondness for dueling.
, second son of Peter Metge and Anne Lyons. He was a graduate of the University of Dublin
where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1763. He married Sophia Crofton, daughter of Sir Marcus Crofton of Mote, County Roscommon
but had no children; Sophia died in 1777 .After his retirement from the Bench he lived mainly in Bath.
in 1762 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1769. He sat in the Irish House of Commons
as member for Ardee
and subsequently for Ratoath
. He became Third Serjeant in 1782 and was briefly Admiralty Judge. At the end of 1783 he became a Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland. He retired in 1801 and died in 1809.
had a very poor opinion of Metge, as he did of most of his colleagues :" as insolent as he is ignorant" .On the other hand the Earl of Charlemont is said to have thought highly of him.
Biography
Hw was born at Athlumney, County MeathCounty Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, second son of Peter Metge and Anne Lyons. He was a graduate of 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...
where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1763. He married Sophia Crofton, daughter of Sir Marcus Crofton of Mote, County Roscommon
Roscommon
Roscommon is the county town of County Roscommon in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 5,017 . The town is located near the junctions of the N60, N61 and N63 roads.-History:...
but had no children; Sophia died in 1777 .After his retirement from the Bench he lived mainly in Bath.
Career
He entered Middle TempleMiddle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
in 1762 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1769. He sat 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...
as member for Ardee
Ardee
Ardee is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the N2, N52, and N33 roads. Ardee is on the banks of the River Dee and is approximately 20 km from Dundalk, Drogheda, Slane and Carrickmacross...
and subsequently for Ratoath
Ratoath
Ratoath is a town in the barony of the same name, County Meath in Ireland. The town is centered on the point where the R125 and R155 regional roads meet. In the 1996 census, the population was recorded as 1,061. In the 2006 census, it was 7,249...
. He became Third Serjeant in 1782 and was briefly Admiralty Judge. At the end of 1783 he became a Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland. He retired in 1801 and died in 1809.
Character
Elrington Ball describes Metge as a " fire-eater", quarrelsome and hot tempered with a fondness for dueling. The number of duels he fought was not remarkable, but he was unusual in fighting his own brother-in-law. As a judge the statesman Edward CookeEdward Cooke
Edward Tiffin Cook, Jr. was an American athlete who competed in the men's pole vault. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics and tied for gold with fellow American vaulter Alfred Gilbert....
had a very poor opinion of Metge, as he did of most of his colleagues :" as insolent as he is ignorant" .On the other hand the Earl of Charlemont is said to have thought highly of him.