Richard Dowse PC was an Irish politician, barrister and judge, who was reputed to be the wittiest Parliamentary orator of his time.
Occupation
judge, politician, barrister
Position held
Member of the Privy Council of Ireland, member of the 20th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Attorney-General for Ireland, Solicitor-General for Ireland
Born
1824
Died
March 14, 1890
Overview
Richard Dowse PC (1824 – 14 March 1890) was an Irish politician, barrister and judge, who was reputed to be the wittiest Parliamentary orator of his time.
Background
He was born in Dungannon, County Tyrone, eldest son of William Dowse, a merchant and Maria Donaldson, daughter of Captain Hugh Donaldson and Mary Vance. He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon and Trinity College Dublin. As a student, he was briefly involved in the Young Ireland movement. He entered Lincoln's Inn in 1849 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1852. Though he was not a particularly good lawyer: ("he was better known for his wit than his law", a later judge commented sourly), his witty, occasionally scandalous speeches guaranteed him attention and regular press coverage. After practising for some years on the North-Western Circuit, he became Queen's Counsel in 1863 and Third Serjeant in 1867.
Later career
