John George (lawyer)

George was born in Dublin, the eldest son of John George (died 1837), of Dublin, a merchant (who later became a landowner in County Wexford), by Emily Jane Fox, daughter of Richard Fox. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. The University of Dublin conferred on him the degrees of B. A. 1823, and M.A. 1826.

George was called to the Irish Bar at King's Inns. On 16 May 1827 he was also called to the English bar at Gray's Inn, London. Having returned to Ireland, he was appointed a Queen's Counsel on 2 November 1844. George became a Bencher of King's Inns in 1849. He sat as one of the two Members of Parliament (MPs) for County Wexford (a county with which his family formed an enduring link) from 1852 to 1857 and from 1859 to 1866 and served as Solicitor-General for Ireland under Lord Derby from February to July 1859. He became a member of the Irish Privy Council in 1866, and was appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench, Ireland, in November of the same year, a post which he held until his death. As a judge he was highly esteemed, with a reputation for impartiality, independence and efficiency. In manner he was noted for patience and dignity.

George married, first, in 1832, Susan Rosanna, daughter of Isaac Matthew D'Olier of Collignes, County Dublin and Margaret Rutherford – she died in 1847; and secondly, 10 August 1848, Mary, eldest daughter of Major Christopher L'Estrange Carleton of Market Hill, County Fermanagh and Jane Jackson, daughter of George Jackson and Maria Rutledge. He died at 45 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, 15 December 1871 aged 67. By his first wife he had at least three children who survived infancy: John, Richard and Emily. His widow died in 1897.

George, who had inherited property in County Wexford from his father, built Cahore House, Clonevan in about 1840. It remained in the family generations, and still exists, though it is presently unoccupied.

• G. C. Boase, "George, John (1804–1871)", rev. Sinéad Agnew, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 9 December 2006
• Walford's County Families

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "George, John". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John George