William Cusac Smith, Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir William Cusack-Smith, 2nd Baronet FRS
(23 January 1766 – 21 August 1836) was an Irish
baronet and politician.
from 1801 to 1806, and his first wife Maryanne Cusack. It was a mixed marriage and William to his credit was proud of his mothers' Catholic ancestry. He was educated at Eton
and Christ Church College, Oxford.
in 1800. He was appointed a Baron of the Exchequer in 1801 at the remarkably early age of 35. The appointment caused some protest, both because of his youth and because he was already displaying signs of oddity. In April, 1805 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He was an eccentric judge who offended Daniel O’Connell. O’Connell raised a motion, carried by MP
s on 13 February 1834, to appoint a select committee to enquire into the conduct of Lord Smith in respect of his neglect of duty as a judge, and the introduction of political topics in his charges to grand juries. On 21 February there was an important debate on the matter, and the resolution to appoint the committee was rescinded by a majority of six.
Cusack-Smith represented Lanesborough
in the Irish House of Commons
from 1794 to 1798. Subsequently he sat for Donegal Borough
until the Act of Union
in 1801.
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"...
(23 January 1766 – 21 August 1836) was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
baronet and politician.
Background and education
Cusack-Smith was the eldest son of Sir Michael Smith, 1st Baronet, Master of the Rolls in IrelandMaster of the Rolls in Ireland
The office of Master of the Rolls in Ireland originated in the office of the keeper of the Rolls in the Irish Chancery and became an office granted by letters patent in 1333. It was abolished in 1924....
from 1801 to 1806, and his first wife Maryanne Cusack. It was a mixed marriage and William to his credit was proud of his mothers' Catholic ancestry. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Christ Church College, Oxford.
legal and judicial career
Cusack-Smith was called to the Irish bar in 1788 and made Solicitor-General for IrelandSolicitor-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...
in 1800. He was appointed a Baron of the Exchequer in 1801 at the remarkably early age of 35. The appointment caused some protest, both because of his youth and because he was already displaying signs of oddity. In April, 1805 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He was an eccentric judge who offended Daniel O’Connell. O’Connell raised a motion, carried by MP
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,...
s on 13 February 1834, to appoint a select committee to enquire into the conduct of Lord Smith in respect of his neglect of duty as a judge, and the introduction of political topics in his charges to grand juries. On 21 February there was an important debate on the matter, and the resolution to appoint the committee was rescinded by a majority of six.
Cusack-Smith represented Lanesborough
Lanesborough (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Lanesborough was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
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...
from 1794 to 1798. Subsequently he sat for Donegal Borough
Donegal Borough (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Donegal Borough was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800. It is now represented in the Dáil.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Donegal Borough was not represented.-1689–1801:...
until the Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
in 1801.