William Blacker
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel William Blacker (1776 – 20 October 1850) was an Irish
British Army
officer and Member of the Royal Irish Academy
.
, he entered the University of Dublin
in the 1790s. Blacker was a participant at the Battle of the Diamond
. There, Blacker became one of the original members of the Orange Institution
. After earning his degree, Blacker obtained a commission in the 60th Regiment of Foot, then serving in the West Indies, but poor health compelled him to return home. In 1806 he was promoted to its majority, and in 1812 rose to his final rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1816 his uncle George Hill
appointed Blacker treasurer of Ireland. He was confirmed Lord Dublin and was the great randfather of Sir Cecil Blacker Commandant of Horse.
He and his brother Valentine Blacker
both wrote pseudonymously, and the two are sometimes confused or conflated in texts: "We know not why Colonel Blacker has chosen not to own himself the author of some papers which in the pages of our own Magazine have excited attention of which any man might feel proud."
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...
British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
officer and Member of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
.
Life and career
Born in Carrickblacker, County ArmaghCounty Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, he entered the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
in the 1790s. Blacker was a participant at the Battle of the Diamond
Battle of the Diamond
The Battle of the Diamond was a violent confrontation between the Catholic Defenders and a Protestant faction including Peep o' Day Boys, Orange Boys and local tenant farmers that took place on 21 September 1795 near Loughgall, County Armagh, Ireland. The Protestants were the victors, killing...
. There, Blacker became one of the original members of the Orange Institution
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
. After earning his degree, Blacker obtained a commission in the 60th Regiment of Foot, then serving in the West Indies, but poor health compelled him to return home. In 1806 he was promoted to its majority, and in 1812 rose to his final rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1816 his uncle George Hill
George Hill
George Hill may refer to:*George Hill , American basketball player*George Hill , American race car driver*George Hill , 4-time U.S...
appointed Blacker treasurer of Ireland. He was confirmed Lord Dublin and was the great randfather of Sir Cecil Blacker Commandant of Horse.
He and his brother Valentine Blacker
Valentine Blacker
Valentine Blacker CB , was a lieutenant colonel in the Honourable East India Company and later Surveyor General of India....
both wrote pseudonymously, and the two are sometimes confused or conflated in texts: "We know not why Colonel Blacker has chosen not to own himself the author of some papers which in the pages of our own Magazine have excited attention of which any man might feel proud."
External links
[Col. William Blacker] via Princess Grace Irish Library