William Downes, 1st Baron Downes
Encyclopedia
William Downes, 1st Baron Downes (1751–1826) was one of the leading Irish judges of his time.
He was the only son of Robert Downes of Donnybrook
and his wife Elizabeth Twigge; he was a grandson of Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork and Ross
.
He graduated from the University of Dublin , was called to the Bar in 1776 and was elected member of the Irish House of Commons
for Donegal
in 1790. He was appointed a judge of the Court of King's Bench in 1792; on the murder of Arthur Wolfe
, Lord Kilwarden in 1803 Downes succeeded him as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland.
He was regarded as " the acknowledged father of the law"; according to Elrington Ball on the murder of Kilwarden it was generally agreed that only Downes was fit to succeed him. He retired in 1822; despite his age and childless condition he accepted a peerage with a special remeinder to his cousin Ulysses Burgh, who succeeded him as second and last Baron Downes.
When he died he was buried in St Anne's Church
, Dublin next to his friend and colleague William Tankerville Chamberlain.
He was the only son of Robert Downes of Donnybrook
Donnybrook, Dublin
Donnybrook is a district of Dublin, Ireland. It is situated on the southside of the city, in the Dublin 4 postal district, and is home to the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ. It was once part of the Pembroke Township...
and his wife Elizabeth Twigge; he was a grandson of Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork and Ross
Bishop of Cork and Ross
The Bishop of Cork and Ross is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Cork and the town of Rosscarbery in Ireland. The title was first used by the Church of Ireland from 1638 to 1660 and again from 1679 to 1835...
.
He graduated from the University of Dublin , was called to the Bar in 1776 and was elected member of the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
for Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
in 1790. He was appointed a judge of the Court of King's Bench in 1792; on the murder of Arthur Wolfe
Arthur Wolfe, 1st Viscount Kilwarden
Arthur Wolfe, 1st Viscount Kilwarden KC was an Irish peer, politician and judge.Wolfe was born at , near Naas, being the fifth son of John Wolfe and his wife Mary Philpot. Wolfe was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and was called to the Irish Bar in 1766...
, Lord Kilwarden in 1803 Downes succeeded him as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland.
He was regarded as " the acknowledged father of the law"; according to Elrington Ball on the murder of Kilwarden it was generally agreed that only Downes was fit to succeed him. He retired in 1822; despite his age and childless condition he accepted a peerage with a special remeinder to his cousin Ulysses Burgh, who succeeded him as second and last Baron Downes.
When he died he was buried in St Anne's Church
St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street
St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street, in Dublin, Ireland, was built in the early 18th century following the establishment of the Anglican parish in 1707. In the early 21st century the church presents itself as ecumenical within the tradition of the Church of Ireland.-Building history:The building of the...
, Dublin next to his friend and colleague William Tankerville Chamberlain.