Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly
Encyclopedia
Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly (5 August 1754 – 26 April 1840), styled The Honourable between 1781 and 1818 and known as The Viscount Northland between 1818 and 1831, was an Irish
peer and politician.
, and the Hon. Anne, daughter of John Vesey, 1st Baron Knapton.
for Carlingford
in 1776, a seat he held until 1783, and then represented Dungannon
between 1783 and 1790 and Tyrone
between 1790 and 1798. He was also a member of the British House of Commons
for County Tyrone
from 1806 to 1812. In 1818 he succeeded his father in the viscountcy of Northland, but, as this was an Irish peerage
it did not entitle him to a seat in the House of Lords
. However, in 1826 he was created Baron Ranfurly, of Ramphorlie in the County of Renfrew, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
, which entitled him and his successors to a seat in the upper chamber of parliament. In 1831 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Ranfurly in the Peerage of Ireland.
. Lady Ranfurly died in November 1839. Lord Ranfurly only survived her by a few months and died in April 1840, aged 85. He was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son, Thomas
.
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...
peer and politician.
Background
Ranfurly was the eldest son of Thomas Knox, 1st Viscount NorthlandThomas Knox, 1st Viscount Northland
Thomas Knox, 1st Viscount Northland , known as The Lord Welles between 1781 and 1791, was an Irish politician.-Background:...
, and the Hon. Anne, daughter of John Vesey, 1st Baron Knapton.
Political career
Ranfurly was elected a member of the Irish House of CommonsIrish 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...
for Carlingford
Carlingford (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Carlingford was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1801.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Carlingford was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
in 1776, a seat he held until 1783, and then represented Dungannon
Dungannon (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Dungannon was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Dungannon was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
between 1783 and 1790 and Tyrone
Tyrone (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Tyrone was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
between 1790 and 1798. He was also a member of 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...
for County Tyrone
Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency)
Tyrone is a former UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament.-Boundaries and Boundary Changes:This constituency comprised the whole of County Tyrone, except the Parliamentary borough of Dungannon....
from 1806 to 1812. In 1818 he succeeded his father in the viscountcy of Northland, but, as this was an Irish peerage
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
it did not entitle him to a seat in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. However, in 1826 he was created Baron Ranfurly, of Ramphorlie in the County of Renfrew, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
, which entitled him and his successors to a seat in the upper chamber of parliament. In 1831 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Ranfurly in the Peerage of Ireland.
Family
Lord Ranfurly married the Hon. Diana Jane, daughter of Edmund Pery, 1st Viscount Pery, in 1785. Their second son the Hon. Edmund Knox (1787-1867) was an Admiral in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. Lady Ranfurly died in November 1839. Lord Ranfurly only survived her by a few months and died in April 1840, aged 85. He was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son, Thomas
Thomas Knox, 2nd Earl of Ranfurly
Thomas Knox, 2nd Earl of Ranfurly , styled Viscount Northland between 1831 and 1840, was an Anglo-Irish peer and politician.-Background:...
.