Robert French (politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert French was a County Galway
landlord
and Member of Parliament
, .
French's family were one of The Tribes of Galway. His ancestor, Patrick Béag French (died 1630) was one of the two Galwaymen who successfully petitioned James II
for a town charter, awarded in 1610. Patrick's great-grandson was Patrick "Silvertongue" French conformed to the Established Church and was the father of Robert.
Robert French is remember for being an improving landlord of his estates, centred around Monivea
in central County Galway
. He rebuilt the village into its present spacious form, taught new farming techniques to his tenants and stood for election to the Parliament of Ireland
, a position impossible to aspire to if his father had remained Catholic.
He married Nicolas, sister of Viscount Gosford and had issue. He also had seven children by his mistress, Winifred Higgins.
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
landlord
Landlord
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant . When a juristic person is in this position, the term landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner...
and Member of Parliament
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,...
, .
French's family were one of The Tribes of Galway. His ancestor, Patrick Béag French (died 1630) was one of the two Galwaymen who successfully petitioned James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
for a town charter, awarded in 1610. Patrick's great-grandson was Patrick "Silvertongue" French conformed to the Established Church and was the father of Robert.
Robert French is remember for being an improving landlord of his estates, centred around Monivea
Monivea
Monivea It was formerly part of the kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht. It is located approximately 30 km from Galway City and 9 km from Athenry. Monivea is known for its sizable forest, Monivea Castle which now lies in partial ruins, and a well-preserved mausoleum...
in central County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
. He rebuilt the village into its present spacious form, taught new farming techniques to his tenants and stood for election to the Parliament of Ireland
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
, a position impossible to aspire to if his father had remained Catholic.
He married Nicolas, sister of Viscount Gosford and had issue. He also had seven children by his mistress, Winifred Higgins.