[Born near Cork, 1750. Died in London, 1817. Aged 67.]
Of very humble parentage. Obtaining a sizarship, he received his
education at Trinity College, Dublin, free of expense. He went to
London, and entered himself as student at one of the Inns of Court.
Called to the bar in 1775. His brilliant qualities soon brought him into
notice. He was employed to defend various persons charged with political
offences, and his eloquence, his wit, his withering sarcasm, and
touching pathos, carried all before them. In 1784, he obtained a silk
gown, and took his seat in the Irish House of Commons as member for
Doneraile. When the Whigs came into office in 1806, he was made Master
of the Rolls in Ireland. This office he held until 1814, when he
resigned it and secured a pension of 3000_l._ a-year. He then visited
England, and took up his residence in London, where he died. He was a
popular advocate, and a most successful debater. His personal appearance
was as deficient in grace as his intellectual powers were splendid. His
country, which loved him when living, lamented him when dead, and
perpetuated her love and her grief by the erection of a public monument
to his memory.
[By Christopher Moore. 1841. Executed for his monument in St.
Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.]