John FitzGibbon (Irish lawyer)
John FitzGibbon(c.1708 – 11 April 1780) was an Irish lawyer and politician.[1]
Early life[edit]
FitzGibbon was the eldest son of Thomas Fitzgibbon of Ballyseeda and Honor Hayes. He was raised inCounty Limerickas aRoman Catholic,and at the age of sixteen he went toParisto study medicine. He later quit medicine and studied law, entering theMiddle Templein London on 8 December 1726.[1]
Career[edit]
He was called to theIrish barin 1731, and in November of the same year he converted to the establishedChurch of Ireland.He also published a legal textbook,Notes on cases determined by Westminster,in 1731. Fitzgibbon amassed a considerable personal fortune practising as a barrister and consulting lawyer, with which he purchasedMountshannon House.Despite his conversion, he remained sympathetic to Irish Catholics and in March 1767 Fitzgibbon defended in court Catholics accused ofWhiteboycrimes and treason.[1]
In 1761, FitzGibbon was elected as aMember of ParliamentforNewcastlein theIrish House of Commons;in 1768 he was elected to sit forJamestown.[2]At first he supported the government but by 1763 he had joined the opposition, where he remained until he retired from parliament in 1776. He interested himself in the economic development of Ireland and was the author of a pamphlet,Essay on commerce,published in 1777.[1]
Family[edit]
On 8 February 1738, he married Elinor Grove; they had four sons and three daughters. The three eldest sons died young, while the fourth wasJohn FitzGibbon,who was also a lawyer and was madeEarl of Clarein 1795. One of FitzGibbon's daughters wasArabella FitzGibbon,who marriedJames St John Jeffereyes.[1]
References[edit]
- ^abcdeWoods, C. J. (October 2009)."Fitzgibbon, John".Dictionary of Irish Biography.Retrieved22 February2023.
- ^Johnston-Liik, E. M. (2006).MPs in Dublin: Companion to History of the Irish Parliament, 1692-1800.Ulster Historical Foundation. p. 88.ISBN1903688604.