Biographies A-Z

Helsham, Richard (c.1682–1738), doctor and physicist, was born in Kilkenny city, son of Joshua Helsham, alderman and mayor (1692–4) of the city; nothing is known of his mother. In 1698, aged 15, Helsham proceeded from Kilkenny College to…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Hutchinson, John Hely-. View the original entry.

Hemans, George Willoughby (1814–85), railway engineer, was born 27 August 1814 at Ryllon near St Asaph, north Wales, son of Capt. Alfred Hemans of the 4th (King's Own) Regiment and the poet Felicia Hemans (née Browne; 1794–1835) who were married in 1812. In 1818, after a short and…

Hempel, Eduard (1887–1972), German diplomat, was born 6 June 1887 in Pirna, Saxony, and baptised into the Zwinglian church, eldest among two sons and one daughter of Carl Constantin Hempel, district administrator, and Russian-born Olga Elvine Hempel (neé Ponfick). In 1898 his…

Hemphill, Charles Hare (1822–1908), 1st Baron Hemphill of Rathkenny and of Cashel, judge and politician, was born in August 1822 at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, the youngest of two sons and three daughters of John Hemphill, a grandson of Samuel Hemphill the presbyterian controversialist,…

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This is a co-subject for the entry on Hemphill, Samuel. View the original entry.

Hemphill, Samuel (fl.1729–1735), Hemphill, Samuel (d. 1741), and Hemphill, Samuel (d. 1761), were all presbyterian ministers, may have been related, and have at times been confused with one another, or with other Hemphills, by later writers. Samuel Hemphill (b. c.…

Hemphill, William Despard (1816–1902), medical doctor and pioneering photographer, was born 4 August 1816, fourth of six sons of Samuel Hemphill, medical doctor, of Springhill, Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, and his wife Mary, daughter of Robert Backas, Butlerstown Castle, Co. Waterford…

Hempson (O'Hempsy), Denis (1695?–1807), harpist, was born at Braigmore, near Garvagh in the parish of Aghadowey, Co. Londonderry, one of three children born to Brian ‘Darrogher’ (‘Livid’) O'Hempsy, a substantial farmer; his mother was from the townland of Woodtown nearby. An attack…

Henchy (Hensey, Henzy), Florence (fl. 1748–59), physician and spy, was born at Kildare, son of Florence Henchey (1670–1757) of Ballycumeen, Co. Clare, and his wife, Mary Henchey (1683–1748); the couple had two other sons and a daughter. His year of birth is uncertain, and…

Henchy, Patrick (1913–2001), librarian and scholar, was born 5 May 1913 in Corofin, Co. Clare, fifth of seven children (four girls and three boys) of Patrick Henchy, merchant of Corofin, and his wife Margaret (née O'Grady). Having received his primary education locally, he attended St…

Henchy, Séamus Anthony (1917–2008), barrister and judge, was born 6 December 1917 in Corofin, Co. Clare, the second of three sons (there were also four daughters) of Patrick Henchy, a merchant, and his wife Margaret (née O'Grady). Together with his equally gifted brother…

Henderson, Cathy (1963–2014), artist, was born in London on 4 February 1963, one of four children (three boys and one girl) of English parents Peter Henderson, a lecturer in occupational psychology and his wife Mary (née Topham), an artist. She spent her early childhood living in Barton…

Henderson, Frank (1886–1959), revolutionary, was born 16 April 1886 in Dublin, eldest surviving among eight children of Robert Henderson (1845–1910), bookbinder, and his wife Frances, a schoolteacher, daughter of James Broughal, dyer, of Co. Armagh and Manchester. The family lived…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Henderson, James. View the original entry.

This is a co-subject for the entry on Henderson, James. View the original entry.

Henderson, James (1797–1863), newspaper proprietor, was one of possibly five sons of James Henderson, a prominent merchant in Belfast, and Amelia Henderson (née Magill or McGill), both of Castlereagh, Co. Down; there were also two daughters. One of his brothers, Alexander…

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Henderson, John (1757–88), eccentric scholar, was born 27 March 1757 in Co. Limerick (sources say at Ballygarran or Ballegarance, which may be the townland of Ballycarrane), the only son of Richard Henderson, Wesleyan lay preacher, and his first or second wife, whose name may have been…

Henderson, Noel Joseph (1928–97), rugby player, was born 10 August 1928 in Drumahoe, Co. Londonderry. Educated at Foyle College, Derry, he later attended QUB and graduated B.Sc. He began playing…

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Henderson, (Robert) Brumwell ('Brum') (1929–2005), managing director of Ulster Television and public figure in Northern Ireland, was born 28 July 1929 in Hillsborough Castle, Co. Down, younger son of Oscar Henderson (qv), and his wife Alicia Mary (née Henry).…

Henebry, Richard (de Hindeberg, Risteard ) (1863–1916), priest, Irish-language scholar, and traditional-music collector, was born 18 September 1863 in Portlaw, Co. Waterford, son of Pierce Henebry, farmer, and Ellen Henebry (née Cashen) of Clogheen, Co. Tipperary. He was educated at…

Henley, Robert (1747–86), 2nd earl of Northington, politician and lord lieutenant of Ireland, was born 3 January 1747 at Holborn, London, the second and only surviving son of Robert Henley, 1st earl of Northington (1708–72) and his wife, Jane (née Huband, 1716–87); he was styled…