Geoghegan, Patrick M.

Walkem, George Anthony (1834–1908), judge and premier of British Columbia, Canada, was born 14 November 1834 at Newry, Co. Down, eldest of at least two sons of Charles Walkem, surveyor; nothing is known of his mother. His family moved to Quebec in 1847 when his father was appointed to…

Walker, Sir Samuel (1832–1911), 1st baronet, lord chancellor of Ireland, was born 19 June 1832 at Gore Port, Finea, Co. Westmeath, second of three sons of Capt. Alexander Walker, soldier, and Elizabeth Walker (née Elliott); his older brother was Gen.…

Wall, Joseph (1737–1802), soldier and governor, was born in Dublin, eldest of three sons of Garrett Wall, farmer, from Derryknavin, near Abbeyleix, Queen's Co. (Laois); his mother's name is unknown. Educated locally, he entered TCD (1752…

Walsh, William (1804–58), catholic archbishop in Canada, was born 7 November 1804 at Waterford city, eldest of fourteen children of Joseph Walsh, a catholic farmer. Educated at St John's College, Waterford, he decided to enter the priesthood and studied at the catholic seminary at…

Warden, David Bailie (1772–1845), United Irishman, diplomat, and bibliographer, was born at Ballycastle, Co. Down, eldest among three sons of Robert Warden, tenant farmer, and Elizabeth Warden (née Bailie). Educated locally, he studied for the presbyterian ministry, despite being…

Warren, Richard Augustus (1705–75), Jacobite and French army officer, was born at Corduff near Castleknock, Co. Dublin, son of John Warren and Mary Warren (née Jones). Two of his brothers became officers in the Irish brigade in the service of France, while a third became a…

Warren, Sir Peter (1703–52), admiral in the British navy, was born 10 March 1703 at Warrenstown, Co. Meath, third son among three sons and two daughters of Michael Warren, Roman catholic landowner, and Catherine Warren (née Aylmer). Educated locally, he entered the Royal Navy in…

Watson, James (c.1740–1790), mezzotint engraver, was born in Dublin but there are few details of his family or early life; his older brother was William Watson (d. 1765), painter of portraits and historical subjects. Educated at the Dublin Society schools, James trained as…

Wesley, Garrett (1735–81), amateur musician, politician, and 1st earl of Mornington , was born 19 July 1735, probably at Dangan Castle, Co. Meath, the only surviving son of Richard Wesley (originally Colley), later 1st Baron Mornington, and Elizabeth Wesley (née Sale). Educated by…

Wesley, Richard (Colley) (c.1690–1758), politician and 1st Baron Mornington , was born Richard Colley, near Edenderry, King's Co. (Offaly), sixth and youngest son of Henry Colley, of Castle Carbery, Co. Kildare, politician and landowner, and Mary Colley (née Usher).…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Whaley, Thomas (‘Buck’). View the original entry.

Whaley, Thomas (‘Buck’) (1766–1800), politician and rake, was born 15 December 1766, son of Richard Chapel Whaley (1700–69) a wealthy landowner, of Whaley Abbey, Co. Wicklow, and the only son of Richard Whaley (a. 1663–1725) and his wife Susanna, daughter of John Whaley…

White, Richard (1767–1851), 1st earl of Bantry , landowner, and was born 6 August 1767 at Bantry, Co. Cork, the eldest son of three sons and three daughters of Simon White, a landowner, and his wife, Frances Jane White (née Hedges). He was educated locally. About 1797 he succeeded…

Whyte, Samuel (1733–1811), schoolmaster, was born on board a ship near Liverpool, the illegitimate son of either Solomon Whyte or his brother Richard, the deputy governor of the tower of London; his mother died shortly after childbirth. His first cousin was Frances Chamberlain, who…

Wickham, William (1761–1840), chief secretary for Ireland and British spymaster, was born November 1761 in England, first son of Henry Wickham, lieutenant-colonel in the British army, and Elizabeth Wickham (née Lamplugh). Educated at Winchester and Harrow, he entered Christ Church…

Wilks, Robert (c.1665–1732), actor and manager, was born in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, second among three sons of Edward Wilks, pursuivant to a lord lieutenant; nothing is known of his mother. Educated locally, he was appointed a clerk in the office of Sir…

Windham, William (1750–1810), chief secretary for Ireland, was born 3 May 1750 in London, the only son of William Windham, landowner, and Sarah Windham (née Hicks). Educated at Eton, he entered Glasgow University (1766) and University College, Oxford (1767). A brilliant and…

Woffington Margaret (‘Peg’) (c.1720–1760), actress, was born in Dublin, elder of two daughters of John Woffington, bricklayer, and his wife, Hannah. Her funeral monument at St Mary's church, Teddington, Middlesex, claims she was born 18 October 1720, though it is quite…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Woffington Margaret (‘Peg’). View the original entry.

Woodward, Richard (c.1743–1777), composer, was born in England, son of Richard Woodward, choirmaster; his mother's name is not known. In 1751 he moved to Ireland when his father was appointed a stipendiary of the choir at Christ Church cathedral, Dublin. He became an…

Wylie, Samuel Brown (1773–1852), presbyterian minister, and oriental and classical scholar, was born 21 May 1773 at Moylarg, Co. Antrim, son of Adam Wylie, a prosperous farmer, and Margaret Wylie (née Brown). Educated locally, he entered the University of Glasgow, where he…