Josias Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Sir Josias Cunningham, DL
(20 January 1934 - 9 August 2000) was a Northern Irish
stock broker, farmer and politician.
, was born into a well-off family of stock brokers, the family firm being Cunningham Coates. (The family also owned The Northern Whig
newspaper). He was educated at Fettes College
and went on to read biological sciences at Clare College, Cambridge
, where his uncle Sir Knox Cunningham
had also attended.
. In 1991 on the death of Sir George Clarke he was elected President of the Ulster Unionist Council and was one of the last remainders of Northern Ireland's moneyed families to remain involved in politics in the most recent installment of The Troubles
. He was a member of the Orange Order and lived on his farm at Templepatrick
, County Antrim
.
at Carryduff
, County Down
in 2000, aged 66. His funeral took place in Donegore Presbyterian Church. He was married and had four children. The UUP headquarters, Cunningham House, was named in his family's honour, and was dedicated by his widow.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(20 January 1934 - 9 August 2000) was a Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
stock broker, farmer and politician.
Early life
Josias Cunningham, known as "Joe", the grandson of Samuel CunninghamSamuel Cunningham
Samuel Cunningham PC was a Northern Irish businessman, stockbroker and politician.Cunningham was born at Fernhill House, Glencairn, Belfast, and educated at Belfast Academy and at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh...
, was born into a well-off family of stock brokers, the family firm being Cunningham Coates. (The family also owned The Northern Whig
The Northern Whig
The Northern Whig is a bar housed in a historical building in Belfast, Northern Ireland.It is situated in the Cathedral Quarter, just to the north of the city centre...
newspaper). He was educated at Fettes College
Fettes College
Fettes College is an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland with over two thirds of its pupils in residence on campus...
and went on to read biological sciences at Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
, where his uncle Sir Knox Cunningham
Knox Cunningham
Sir Samuel Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet, QC was a Northern Irish Barrister, businessman and politician. As an Ulster Unionist politician at a time when the Unionists were part of the Conservative Party, he was also a significant figure in United Kingdom politics as Parliamentary Private Secretary...
had also attended.
Career & Politics
As well as working in the family firm he farmed 300 acres (1.2 km²) of County AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. In 1991 on the death of Sir George Clarke he was elected President of the Ulster Unionist Council and was one of the last remainders of Northern Ireland's moneyed families to remain involved in politics in the most recent installment of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. He was a member of the Orange Order and lived on his farm at Templepatrick
Templepatrick
Templepatrick is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast, and halfway between the towns of Ballyclare and Antrim. It had a population of 1,556 in the 2001 Census. It is also close to Belfast International Airport and the village has several hotels...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
.
Death
Sir Josias Cunningham died in a car accidentCar accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
at Carryduff
Carryduff
Carryduff is a small town and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, about south of Belfast city centre. It had a population of 6,595 people in the 2001 Census....
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
in 2000, aged 66. His funeral took place in Donegore Presbyterian Church. He was married and had four children. The UUP headquarters, Cunningham House, was named in his family's honour, and was dedicated by his widow.