Walter Hussey Burgh

Life
1742-1783, b. Co. Kildare; Prime Sargeant of Ireland and Free Trade orator whose rousing speeches in the Irish Parliament were recalled by Sir Jonah Barrington and J. A. Froude. In a debate of November 1779 he said, ‘England has sown her laws as dragon’s teeth, and they have sprung up as armed men.’ A member of the Monks of the Screw, he also wrote poems, never collected, some of which are printed in The Cabinet of Irish Literature (1876-8) ed. Sir Charles Read. RR CAB ODNB FDA

References

Richard Ryan, Biographia Hibernica: Irish Worthies, Vol. I [of 2] (London & Dublin 1819)

[...]

He accepted the office of prime serjeant during the early part of Lord Buckinghamshire’s administration; but the experience of one session convinced him, that his sentiments and those of the English and Irish cabinets, on the great questions relative to the independence of Ireland, would never assimilate. He soon grew weary of his situation; when his return to the standard of opposition was marked by all ranks of people, and especially his own profession, as a day of splendid triumph. Numerous were the congratulations which he received on this sacrifice of {230} official emolument, to the duty which he owed to his country. That country he loved even to enthusiasm. He moved the question of a free trade for Ireland, as the only measure that could then rescue this kingdom from total decay. The resolution was concise, energetic, and successful. He supported Mr. Grattan in all the motions which finally laid prostrate the dominion of the British parliament over Ireland. When he did so, he was not unacquainted with the vindictive disposition of the English cabinet of that day, towards all who dared to maintain such propositions. One night, when he sat down after a most able, arguinentative speech in favour of the just rights of Ireland, he turned to Mr. Grattan, “I have now,” said he, “nor do I repent it, sealed the door against my own preferment; and I have made the fortune of the man opposite to me,” naming a particular person who sat on the treasury bench.

He loved fame [...]

See full copy in RICORSO > Library > Criticism > History > Legacy - via index, or as attached.

 

Notes
Richard Lovell Edgeworth : In his Essay on Irish Bulls (1803), R. L. Edgeworth cites W. H Burgh as one of the geniuses of Ireland, [ top ]