Crofton Moore Vandeleur facts for kids
Crofton Moore Vandeleur (born 1809, died 1881) was an important person in Ireland. He owned a lot of land and was a politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party and came from Kilrush in County Clare. He served in the British Parliament as a MP for Clare from 1859 to 1874.
Family History
Crofton Moore Vandeleur was the oldest son of John Ormsby Vandeleur. His father was also a politician who served as an MP. Crofton's mother was Lady Frances Moore.
The Vandeleur family originally came from the Netherlands. They settled in Ireland in the 1630s. They later moved to Kilrush in 1688 and became very successful there.
In 1828, Crofton inherited his father's large estates. By the mid-1800s, the family owned nearly 20,000 acres of land in County Clare. They also effectively owned the town of Kilrush. Crofton's father had built Kilrush House in 1808. Both Crofton and his son, Hector Vandeleur, continued to develop the town. However, during difficult times like the Great Famine, the family's actions were not always seen as helpful by the local people. This caused some problems and unhappiness.
Early Life and Education
Crofton Vandeleur went to school at Harrow. He also studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1862, he married Lady Grace Graham-Toler. She was the daughter of the 2nd Earl of Norbury.
Public Service and Politics
Crofton Vandeleur held several important roles in County Clare. He became a local judge, known as a magistrate. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for the county. In 1832, he served as the High Sheriff of County Clare. In 1838, he became a Colonel in the Clare Militia, which was a local military force.
He tried to become an MP for the Clare area several times. He ran in the elections of 1835, 1841, and 1852 but did not win. On his fourth try, in the 1859 election, he finally won a seat. He continued to serve as an MP until 1874.
Later Life
Crofton Vandeleur passed away on 8 November 1881. His oldest son, Hector Vandeleur, inherited his estates. Kilrush House later burned down. Over time, the Vandeleur family's connection to Kilrush became less strong. Some of his family members, like Joe Vandeleur and Giles Vandeleur, became well-known soldiers in World War II.
