Biographies A-Z

Elliot, William (1766–1818), chief secretary for Ireland (1806-7) and MP, was born 12 March 1766 in Reigate, Surrey, only child of William Nassau Elliot, barrister, and Martha Elliot (née Meade). Although English-born, he was of Scottish descent and was educated first privately,…

Ellis, James (‘Jimmy’) (1931–2014), actor and theatre director, was born on 15 March 1931 in his aunt’s house at 13 Gawn Street, Belfast, the younger of two children and only son of James Ellis senior, a sheet-metal worker at Harland & Wolff shipyard, and his mother Matilda (‘Tilly…

Ellis, John (c.1714–1776), naturalist, linen merchant, and administrator, was born probably in Dublin, son of John Ellis, reputedly a cutler, and Martha Ellis (née Sissons), whose father was a public notary, probably Thomas Sissons (d. 1724). Little is known of Ellis's…

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This is a co-subject for the entry on Ellison, William Frederick Archdall. View the original entry.

Ellison, William Frederick Archdall (1864–1936), clergyman and astronomer, was born 28 April 1864 in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, eldest among eight sons and three daughters of the Very Rev. Humphrey Eakin Ellison of Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow, dean of Ferns, and Letitia Ellison (née…

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This is a co-subject for the entry on Ellis, Sir William. View the original entry.

Ellis, Sir William (c.1648–1732), chief secretary, was the second son of John Ellis (d. 1681) and his wife, Susanna (d. 1700), a daughter of William Welbore of Cambridge. John Ellis was a fellow of St Catharine Hall, Cambridge, and a chaplain to Archbishop Abbot of…

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This is a co-subject for the entry on Ellis, Sir William. View the original entry.

Ellmann, Richard (1918–87), literary historian and critic, was born 15 March 1918 in Highland Park, Michigan, USA, son of James Isaac Ellmann and Jeanette Ellmann (née Barsook). Ellmann was educated at Highland Park school and Yale University, where he was awarded a…

Elmes, Mary (1908–2002), humanitarian worker 'righteous among the nations', was born Marie Elizabeth Jean Elmes on 5 May 1908, at Culgreine, 120 Blackrock Road, Ballintemple, Cork, the home of her parents, Edward Thomas Elmes, a pharmacist, and his wife Elizabeth Octavia (née Waters…

Elmore, Alfred (1815–81), painter, was born 18 June 1815 in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, the son of Dr John Richard Elmore, a retired army surgeon and later a linen manufacturer in Clonakilty, and his wife Anne (née Callanan). In 1827 the family moved to London, where Elmore pursued an…

Elrington, Charles Richard (1787–1850), Church of Ireland clergyman and professor of divinity, was born 25 March 1787 in Dublin, the elder son (there were also several daughters) of Thomas Elrington (qv), provost of…

Elrington, Thomas (1688–1732), actor and theatre manager, was born near Golden Square Lane, London, in June 1688, one of four sons of Thomas Elrington, an employee of the duke of Montagu. His father may have been the Thomas Elrington engaged as a scenekeeper in the King's Company in…

Elrington, Thomas (1760–1835), provost of TCD and Church of Ireland bishop, was born 18 December 1760 near Dublin, only child of Richard Elrington and Catherine Elrington. Educated at TCD, he entered in 1775, becoming scholar in 1778.…

Embleton, Robert (fl. 1336–55), treasurer of Ireland, was an English clerk who derived his toponymic from Northumberland and may have been related to a mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. He began his service to the crown sometime during the reign of Edward II. He first appears…

Embury, Philip (1728–73), methodist preacher, was one of at least four sons and one daughter of tenant farmer Andreas Imberger, a German Palatine immigrant of 1709. Embury was baptised (29 September 1728) a member of the Church of Ireland in Ballingrane, Co. Limerick. With his cousin…

Emeléus, Karl George (1901–89), physicist, was born 4 August 1901 in London, the eldest of the two sons and three daughters of Karl Henry Emeléus, a pharmacist of Finnish extraction, and Ellen Emeléus (née Biggs). After graduating in pharmacy his father left Finland and travelled…

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This is a co-subject for the entry on Emmet, Thomas Addis. View the original entry.

Emmet, Robert (1729–1802), state physician, was born 29 November 1729 at Tipperary, younger of two sons of Christopher Emett, physician, and Rebecca Emett (née Temple); his mother was a descendant of the powerful Temple political dynasty based at Stowe, Buckinghamshire. Educated…

Emmet, Robert (1778–1803), United Irishman, was born 4 March 1778 at 109/110 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, the seventeenth, but only fourth surviving child of Dr Robert Emmet (qv), the state physician, and Elizabeth Emmet (née Mason); his older…

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