George Wolfe (Irish politician) facts for kids

George Wolfe was an important Irish person who lived from 1859 to 1941. He was many things: a politician, a soldier, a farmer, and someone who studied old things (an antiquarian). He was a member of a political party called Cumann na nGaedheal. For nine years, he was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is like a member of parliament in Ireland, representing the Kildare area.

George Wolfe's Early Life

George Wolfe was born on December 16, 1859. His birthplace was Bishopland, near Ballymore Eustace in County Kildare, Ireland. He was the younger son in his family, which included an older brother and a sister. His father, Theobald George Samuel Wolfe, was a landowner. In 1870, his father inherited a large estate called Forenaghts.

George went to school at Rathmines School in Dublin. He also studied at Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. When his older brother, Richard Wolfe, passed away in 1885, George became the head of the family at Forenaghts.

In 1888, George Wolfe married Emily Leeman. She was the only child of Richard Smethurst. Emily had been married before and had one daughter with George. She passed away in 1910.

His Time in the Army

In 1882, George Wolfe joined the army as a lieutenant. He was part of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He fought in the Anglo-Egyptian War at the Battle of Tell El Kebir. For his bravery, he received a special medal and the Khedive's Star. He also served in the Sudanese war from 1884 to 1885.

Later, from 1885 to 1890, he served with the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars. George Wolfe left the army with the rank of major.

A Career in Politics

After his army career, George Wolfe became involved in local politics. He was a member of the Kildare County Council from 1899 to 1920. For nine of those years, from 1911 to 1920, he was the council's vice-chairman.

In 1923, George Wolfe decided to run for a seat in Dáil Éireann, which is the Irish parliament. He was elected on his first try in the 1923 Irish general election. He was the only person from the Cumann na nGaedheal party elected from the Kildare area at that time. He served in the 4th Dáil.

He was re-elected twice more. First, in the June 1927 Irish general election, and then again in the September 1927 Irish general election. He chose not to run for election in 1932. George Wolfe passed away on December 1, 1941.