Ralph Howard, 1st Viscount Wicklow
Encyclopedia
Howard, Ralph, 1st Viscount Wicklow (1726–1786) was an M.P. for County Wicklow and became Baron Clonmore of Clonmore Castle.
in 1749, and of County Carlow
in 1754. In 1761 and 1768 he was elected M.P.
for both county Wicklow and the Borough of St. Johnstown
.
In May 1770, he joined the privy council
and on 12 July 1776 Howard was raised to the Irish peerage as Baron Clonmore of Clonmore Castle, County Carlow. In June 1785 he was promoted to be Viscount Wicklow
and died a year later on 26 June 1786. His widow, Alice, daughter and sole heiress of William Forward of Castle Forward, co. Donegal, was created Countess of Wicklow
in her own right on the 20 December 1793. She died 7 March 1807. Her son Robert succeeded her as Earl of Wicklow
, and sat as a representative peer in the united parliament of 1801.
Biography
Ralph Howard was born at Shelton Abbey, Co. Wicklow, the eldest son of the Rt. Rev. Robert Howard (1683–1740), Bishop of Elphin. Howard was High Sheriff of Wicklow
High Sheriff of Wicklow
The High Sheriff of Wicklow was the British Crown’s judicial representative in County Wicklow, Ireland from Wicklow's formation in 1606 until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Wicklow County Sheriff. The sheriff had judicial, electoral,...
in 1749, and of County Carlow
High Sheriff of Carlow
The High Sheriff of Carlow was the British Crown’s judicial representative in County Carlow, Ireland from the 16th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Carlow County Sheriff. The sheriff had judicial, electoral, ceremonial and...
in 1754. In 1761 and 1768 he was elected M.P.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for both county Wicklow and the Borough of St. Johnstown
St Johnstown (County Donegal) (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
St Johnstown was a constituency in County Donegal represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
.
In May 1770, he joined the privy council
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
and on 12 July 1776 Howard was raised to the Irish peerage as Baron Clonmore of Clonmore Castle, County Carlow. In June 1785 he was promoted to be Viscount Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1793 for Alice Howard, Dowager Viscountess Wicklow. Born Alice Forward, she was the daughter of William Forward, Member of the Irish House of Commons for the County Donegal constituency, and the widow of Ralph Howard, 1st...
and died a year later on 26 June 1786. His widow, Alice, daughter and sole heiress of William Forward of Castle Forward, co. Donegal, was created Countess of Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1793 for Alice Howard, Dowager Viscountess Wicklow. Born Alice Forward, she was the daughter of William Forward, Member of the Irish House of Commons for the County Donegal constituency, and the widow of Ralph Howard, 1st...
in her own right on the 20 December 1793. She died 7 March 1807. Her son Robert succeeded her as Earl of Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow
Earl of Wicklow was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1793 for Alice Howard, Dowager Viscountess Wicklow. Born Alice Forward, she was the daughter of William Forward, Member of the Irish House of Commons for the County Donegal constituency, and the widow of Ralph Howard, 1st...
, and sat as a representative peer in the united parliament of 1801.