BERNARD, Hon. Richard Boyle (1787-1850), of Leighlinbridge, co. Carlow.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1812 - Mar. 1815

Family and Education

b. 4 Sept. 1787, 2nd s. of Francis, 1st Earl of Bandon [I], and bro. of James, Visct. Bernard*. educ. St. John’s Camb. 1804, MA 1807, DD 1821; L. Inn 1809, called 1812. unm.

Offices Held

Ordained priest 1815; rector of Glankeen, co. Cashel 1820; dean of Leighlin, co. Carlow 1822.

Biography

Bernard was returned for Bandon Bridge on the family interest; the co-patron of the borough, Lord Shannon, was his uncle. He was reckoned a government supporter. A speech against Whitbread’s motion of 23 May 1814 is the only one attributed to him. On 2 Mar., 11 and 24 May 1813 he voted against Catholic relief. He travelled on the Continent in the summer and autumn of 1814 and published a book on the subject in 1815.1 In March of that year he vacated his seat and took holy orders in June. On 9 Oct. he applied to the chief secretary for preferment in the church from the lord lieutenant, in which he claimed the Prince Regent’s encouragement.2 It was nearly five years before he obtained his first living. He died 2 Mar. 1850.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: P. J. Jupp

Notes

  • 1. A Tour through some parts of France, Switzerland, Savoy, Germany and Belgium during the Summer and Autumn of 1814 .
  • 2. Add. 40247, f. 314.