Dictionary of National Biography, 1927 supplement/Peacocke, Joseph Ferguson
PEACOCKE, JOSEPH FERGUSON (1835–1916), archbishop of Dublin, was born at Abbeyleix, Queen's county, 5 November 1835, the youngest son of George Peacocke, M.D., of Longford, by his wife, Catherine Ferguson. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated as senior moderator in history and English literature in 1857, obtaining also a first-class divinity testimonium and the political economy prize of his year. Ordained deacon in 1858 and priest in 1859, his first curacy was that of St. Mary's, Kilkenny, where he served from 1858 until 1861, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Hibernian Church Missionary Society, which he held for two years. A churchman of the evangelical school, he was always a firm supporter of foreign missions and of the Church Missionary Society in particular. In 1863 he went to Monkstown, co. Dublin, as curate of the parish church. Here he stayed until 1873, when he was appointed rector of St. George's, Dublin, an important city parish. But in 1878 he was recalled to Monkstown as rector, by the affection of his old parishioners, and he remained there until his elevation to the episcopate. Along with his benefice he held for a few months in 1894 the professorship of pastoral theology in Trinity College, Dublin, a post for which he was admirably qualified both by inclination and by experience.
In 1894 Peacocke, who had proceeded D.D. in 1883, was elected to the see of Meath, in succession to Dr. Charles Parsons Reichel. In 1897 he was translated to the archbishopric of Dublin, in succession to William Conyngham, fourth Baron Plunket. No archbishop of Dublin for two hundred years had previously held a cure of souls in the diocese; and Peacocke was well known to his clergy, even before he came to rule over them, as a churchman of tolerant mind, rich pastoral experience, and holy life. ‘Pastor fidelis, humilis, et sanctus corde’ are the words graven on his memorial tablet in Kildare Cathedral. He presided with dignity over the dioceses of Dublin, Glendalough, and Kildare, until illness struck him down in 1915, when he resigned his see. He died at Blackrock, co. Dublin, 26 May 1916. His public utterances, whether in pulpit or synod, always commanded respectful attention, but, with the exception of some charges and occasional sermons, he did not publish anything. He had served as select preacher both at Dublin and at Cambridge.
Peacocke was a man of fine presence, and an excellent portrait by P. A. de Laszlò, presented by the diocese, is preserved in the palace at Dublin. He married in 1865 Caroline Sophia, daughter of Major John Irvine, D.L., of Killadeno, co. Fermanagh, and had four sons and one daughter. His eldest son was consecrated bishop of Derry in 1916.
[Archbishop Peacocke's Charges, 1895–1907, and Letters; personal knowledge.]