Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/George, John

586404Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 21 — George, John1890George Clement Boase

GEORGE, JOHN (1804–1871), Irish judge, eldest son of John George of Dublin, merchant, by Emily Jane, daughter of Richard Fox, was born in the city of Dublin on 18 Nov. 1804, and received his education at Trinity College, Dublin. The university of Dublin conferred on him the degrees of B.A. 1823, and M.A. 1826, and in the latter year he was called to the bar at King's Inns. On 16 May 1827 he was also called to the bar at Gray's Inn, London. Having returned to Ireland, he was created a queen's counsel 2 Nov. 1844. He represented Wexford county in parliament as a conservative from 1852 to 1857, and again from May 1859 to 1866. He acted as solicitor-general for Ireland under Lord Derby from February to July 1859. He became a bencher of King's Inns in 1849, and a member of the Irish privy council in 1866, and was appointed a judge of the court of queen's bench, Ireland, in the November of the latter year, a post which he held until his death. He was highly esteemed as patient and painstaking in the discharge of his duties, strictly impartial and independent in his judgments, and courteous and dignified in his demeanour on the bench. He died at 45 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, 15 Dec. 1871, having married, first, in 1832, Susan Rosanna, daughter of Isaac Matthew D'Olier of Collegues, co. Dublin—she died in 1847; and secondly, 10 Aug. 1848, Mary, eldest daughter of Christopher L'Estrange Carleton.

[Times, 16 Dec. 1871, p. 5, and 18 Dec. p. 5; Illustrated London News, 23 Dec. 1871, p. 618.]

G. C. B.