William de Burgh (MP)
Encyclopedia
William de Burgh was a prominent Anglo-Irish politician, theological writer and active campaigner for the abolition of slavery
. He was a Member of Parliament
for Athy
from 1769 to 1776, and supported the campaigns of William Wilberforce
against slavery.
and landowner in County Kildare
, Ireland, and his wife Anne (1709–1801), whom he married in 1731. Anne was the daughter of Dive Downes (1653–1709), Bishop of Cork and Ross
and Catherine Fitzgerald and grand-daughter of George Fitzgerald, 16th Earl of Kildare.
William's grandfather, William de Burgh of Bert MP (d.1744) was Comptroller and Accountant General for Ireland, and a brother of the prominent architect, Colonel Thomas de Burgh
of Oldtown, MP (who built Trinity College Library, Dublin
). He was a descendant of William de Burgh
who first settled in Ireland in 1185.
, Kildare, in the Irish parliament
of 1769–76. A keen supporter of liberty of political expression, he was to become a leading figure in the York association for parliamentary reform. From the outset however, he displayed his opposition to the ideas of the French Revolution
, and although this gained him favour with his friend Edmund Burke
, it brought him little initial popularity. He was vindicated when the later bloodshed of the revolution brought public opinion around.
Like his brother in law, Walter Hussey-Burgh, he was opposed to the war in America
. A close friend of William Wilberforce
, the leading light of the movement for the abolition of slavery, Burgh enthusiastically supported the campaign.
As a theologian, Burgh is best known for his defence of the doctrine of the Trinity
against Socinianism
. A series of intellectual battles with the Rev. Theophilus Lindsey
resulted in the publication of A scriptural confutation of the arguments against the one Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost produced by the Rev. Mr Lindsay in 1774, and An inquiry into the belief of the Christians of the first three centuries representing the one Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which was published in York in 1778. Much criticised by anti-trinitarians, his writings received approval and support of many distinguished laymen, including his friend Edmund Burke, and leading churchmen of the day who included Thomas Newton
, Bishop of Bristol. His orthodox theological studies led to the award of a DCL
by the University of Oxford
in 1788.
and was buried in York Minster
. In accordance with his will, 328 volumes were bequeathed to the Library at York Minster.
Wiliam's brother, Thomas (1741–1810) was also a Member of Parliament and went on to become Accountant General for Ireland. Thomas' son was General Ulysses de Burgh, 2nd Baron Downes, GCB
(1788–1863), a well-known officer in the Peninsular War
and aide-de-camp
to the Duke of Wellington
.
William's two sisters both married prominent politicians. Margaret Amelia (d. 1824) married John Foster, Lord Oriel
, speaker of the Irish House of Commons, and was created Viscountess Ferrard in 1797. Anne (d. 1782) married Rt Hon
Walter Hussey Burgh
MP PC (1742–1783), Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and campaigner for Irish Independence.
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
. He was a Member of Parliament
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...
for Athy
Athy (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Athy was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800. Following the Act of Union 1800 the borough was disenfranchised.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Athy was represented with two members....
from 1769 to 1776, and supported the campaigns of William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
against slavery.
Descent
William Burgh, or de Burgh, was born in 1741 to Thomas Burgh of Bert (1696–1754), Member or Parliament for LanesboroughLanesborough (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Lanesborough was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
and landowner in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, and his wife Anne (1709–1801), whom he married in 1731. Anne was the daughter of Dive Downes (1653–1709), Bishop of Cork and Ross
Bishop of Cork and Ross
The Bishop of Cork and Ross is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Cork and the town of Rosscarbery in Ireland. The title was first used by the Church of Ireland from 1638 to 1660 and again from 1679 to 1835...
and Catherine Fitzgerald and grand-daughter of George Fitzgerald, 16th Earl of Kildare.
William's grandfather, William de Burgh of Bert MP (d.1744) was Comptroller and Accountant General for Ireland, and a brother of the prominent architect, Colonel Thomas de Burgh
Thomas de Burgh
Colonel Thomas de Burgh 1670 – 18 December 1730), often named in his lifetime as Thomas Burgh, was an Irish military engineer, architect, and Member of the Parliament of Ireland...
of Oldtown, MP (who built Trinity College Library, Dublin
Trinity College Library, Dublin
Trinity College Library Dublin, the centrally-administered library of Trinity College, Dublin, is the largest library in Ireland. As a "copyright library", it has legal deposit rights for material published in the Republic of Ireland; it is also the only Irish library to hold such rights for the...
). He was a descendant of William de Burgh
William de Burgh
William de Burgh, founder of the de Burgh/Burke/Bourke family of Ireland, d. 1206.-In Ireland:He arrived in Ireland in 1185 and was closely associated with Prince John....
who first settled in Ireland in 1185.
Career
De Burgh began his political career by representing the borough of AthyAthy
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
, Kildare, in the Irish parliament
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...
of 1769–76. A keen supporter of liberty of political expression, he was to become a leading figure in the York association for parliamentary reform. From the outset however, he displayed his opposition to the ideas of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, and although this gained him favour with his friend Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
, it brought him little initial popularity. He was vindicated when the later bloodshed of the revolution brought public opinion around.
Like his brother in law, Walter Hussey-Burgh, he was opposed to the war in America
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. A close friend of William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
, the leading light of the movement for the abolition of slavery, Burgh enthusiastically supported the campaign.
As a theologian, Burgh is best known for his defence of the doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
against Socinianism
Socinianism
Socinianism is a system of Christian doctrine named for Fausto Sozzini , which was developed among the Polish Brethren in the Minor Reformed Church of Poland during the 15th and 16th centuries and embraced also by the Unitarian Church of Transylvania during the same period...
. A series of intellectual battles with the Rev. Theophilus Lindsey
Theophilus Lindsey
Theophilus Lindsey was an English theologian and clergyman who founded the first avowedly Unitarian congregation in the country, at Essex Street Chapel.-Life:...
resulted in the publication of A scriptural confutation of the arguments against the one Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost produced by the Rev. Mr Lindsay in 1774, and An inquiry into the belief of the Christians of the first three centuries representing the one Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which was published in York in 1778. Much criticised by anti-trinitarians, his writings received approval and support of many distinguished laymen, including his friend Edmund Burke, and leading churchmen of the day who included Thomas Newton
Thomas Newton
Thomas Newton was an English cleric, biblical scholar and author. He served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1761 to 1782....
, Bishop of Bristol. His orthodox theological studies led to the award of a DCL
DCL
- Organizations :* Detroit College of Law, now known as Michigan State University College of Law* Data Connection Ltd, see Metaswitch* Disney Cruise Line, a cruise line company * Distillers Company Limited, a producer of spirits...
by the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 1788.
Family
Burgh was married to Mary (d. 1819), daughter of George Warburton on 25 June 1768, another Irish landowning family. She survived him by 11 years. Although William de Burgh owned considerable estates in Ireland, he lived most of his life in YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and was buried in York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
. In accordance with his will, 328 volumes were bequeathed to the Library at York Minster.
Wiliam's brother, Thomas (1741–1810) was also a Member of Parliament and went on to become Accountant General for Ireland. Thomas' son was General Ulysses de Burgh, 2nd Baron Downes, GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(1788–1863), a well-known officer in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
and aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
.
William's two sisters both married prominent politicians. Margaret Amelia (d. 1824) married John Foster, Lord Oriel
John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel
John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel was an Irish peer and politician.He was the son of Anthony Foster of Louth, an Irish judge . He was elected Member of Parliament to the Irish House of Commons for Dunleer in 1761, a seat he held until 1769...
, speaker of the Irish House of Commons, and was created Viscountess Ferrard in 1797. Anne (d. 1782) married Rt Hon
The Right Honourable
The Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
Walter Hussey Burgh
Walter Hussey Burgh
- Background :He was born in Kildare, son of Ignatius Hussey of Donore House, near Naas, and his wife Elizabeth Burgh. Walter adopted the surname Burgh as a condition for inheriting an estate in Limerick from his uncle. In 1767 he married Anne de Burgh, sister of the statesman William de Burgh and...
MP PC (1742–1783), Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and campaigner for Irish Independence.