Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell PC (Ire)
, FRS
(7 January 1698 – 19 November 1766), styled The Honourable from 1717 until 1720, was an Irish peer, politician and freemason.
and his wife Lady Meliora Coningsby, eldest daughter of Thomas Coningsby, 1st Earl Coningsby
. His uncles were William Southwell
and Richard Southwell
, his younger brother was Henry Southwell. In 1743, Southwell became Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
, a position he held until the following year.
for Limerick County
, the same constituency his father had represented before, and sat for it until 1720, when he succeeded him also as baron. In 1726, Southwell was sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland
. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1735 and was Governor of County Limerick until his resignation in 1762.
, aged 68 and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest surviving son Thomas
. His younger brother, Edmund Southwell, "lived in intimacy with" Samuel Johnson
for many years, and was the first to introduce the great Shakespearean scholar Edmond Malone
to him.
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...
, FRS
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(7 January 1698 – 19 November 1766), styled The Honourable from 1717 until 1720, was an Irish peer, politician and freemason.
Background
He was the oldest son of Thomas Southwell, 1st Baron SouthwellThomas Southwell, 1st Baron Southwell
Thomas Southwell, 1st Baron Southwell PC , known as Sir Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baronet from 1681 to 1717, was an Irish peer and politician.-Background:...
and his wife Lady Meliora Coningsby, eldest daughter of Thomas Coningsby, 1st Earl Coningsby
Thomas Coningsby, 1st Earl Coningsby
Thomas Coningsby, 1st Earl Coningsby PC was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times from 1679 until 1716 when he was created a peer and sat in the House of Lords-Early life:...
. His uncles were William Southwell
William Southwell
-Background:He was the third son of Richard Southwell of Castle Mattress, Co. Limerick, and his wife Lady Elizabeth O'Brien, daughter of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin. His older brothers were Thomas Southwell, 1st Baron Southwell and Richard Southwell...
and Richard Southwell
Richard Southwell (Limerick politician)
Richard Southwell was an Irish politician.He was the fifth and youngest son of Richard Southwell and his wife Lady Elizabeth O'Brien, daughter of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin. His older brothers were Thomas Southwell, 1st Baron Southwell and William Southwell...
, his younger brother was Henry Southwell. In 1743, Southwell became Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
Grand Lodge of Ireland
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the second most senior Grand Lodge of Freemasons in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. Since no specific record of its foundation exists, 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, as the oldest reference to Grand Lodge of Ireland comes...
, a position he held until the following year.
Career
In 1717, Southwell entered 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 Limerick County
Limerick County (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Limerick County was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
, the same constituency his father had represented before, and sat for it until 1720, when he succeeded him also as baron. In 1726, Southwell 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...
. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1735 and was Governor of County Limerick until his resignation in 1762.
Family
In March 1719, he married Mary Coke, eldest daughter of Thomas Coke, and by her he had three sons. Southwell died at Craig's Court, Charing CrossCharing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
, aged 68 and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest surviving son Thomas
Thomas Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell
Thomas George Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell , styled The Honourable from birth until 1766, was an Irish politician and freemason.-Background:...
. His younger brother, Edmund Southwell, "lived in intimacy with" Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
for many years, and was the first to introduce the great Shakespearean scholar Edmond Malone
Edmond Malone
Edmond Malone was an Irish Shakespearean scholar and editor of the works of William Shakespeare.Assured of an income after the death of his father in 1774, Malone was able to give up his law practice for at first political and then more congenial literary pursuits. He went to London, where he...
to him.