Dowse, Richard (1824–90), lawyer, MP, and judge, was born 8 June 1824 in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, only son of William Henry Dowse, merchant, and his wife Maria, daughter of Hugh Donaldson, all from Dungannon. He came from modest circumstances, but his early aptitude for learning warranted his placement in the local royal school, where he consistently finished at the top of his class. In 1845 Dowse entered TCD, where he was soon elevated to scholar (1848); he received first-class honours for his BA in 1850, and was later awarded an MA (1879). During his years at TCD he was an active member of the university's debating society and was briefly involved in the Young Ireland movement until a minor demonstration resulted in his arrest. After entering Lincoln's Inn (1849), he was called to the Irish bar (1852) and joined the north-west circuit, but he never quite attained the reputation of a first-rate lawyer. He was noted for his forensic ability, sturdy common sense, and excellent debating skills, yet was perhaps better known for his satirical sense of humour and apparent inability to refrain from jocularity: many of his cases were covered by the local press, due to his entertaining orations and clever remarks. He was appointed QC on 13 February 1863, served as third queen's serjeant (1869–70), and in 1869 was elected a bencher of the King's Inns.
Dowse, a member of the Church of Ireland, was twice elected liberal MP for Derry city (1868–70, 1870–72), narrowly defeating conservative candidates, thanks to the overwhelming support he received from catholic and presbyterian voters. As an MP, he demonstrated his usual wit and sense of fun, but his speeches were also marked by a derisive humour and incisiveness that secured his reputation as an effective parliamentary debater. He played a prominent role in all debates concerning Irish subjects and supported the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland (1869). During this period he was appointed solicitor general for Ireland (14 February 1870). The year 1872 was perhaps the most significant in Dowse's career: he was appointed attorney general for Ireland (13 January), and a member of the Irish privy council, and resigned his parliamentary seat in order to accept the office of baron of the exchequer (1 November 1872–1890), the last Irish judge to do so. At the time of his death, he was sitting as judge of assize in Tralee. He had been unwell for some time, but on 14 March 1890 continued ill-health forced him to recess early, and he prophetically remarked that he did not wish to die in Kerry. He died that night of heart disease and in the following days his body was returned to Dublin, where he was buried in Mount Jerome cemetery. He was remembered both professionally and personally for his rollicking and sometimes shocking sense of humour, his frank and fearless character, and his witty and lively personality.
Dowse married (29 December 1852) Catherine (‘Kate’; d. 1874), daughter of George Moore of Clones, Co. Monaghan; they lived in Dublin at 38 Mountjoy Square South and had several children.