Gustavus Hume Rochfort facts for kids

Gustavus Hume Rochfort (born around 1750 – died 30 January 1824) was an important Anglo-Irish politician. This means he was a person of British and Irish heritage who was involved in politics in Ireland during a time when Ireland was closely connected to Great Britain. He served in various government roles for many years.

Early Life and Family

Gustavus Hume Rochfort was the son of George Rochfort, who was also a politician. His mother was Alice, whose father was Sir Gustavus Hume, 3rd Baronet.

In July 1779, Gustavus Rochfort married Frances Bloomfield. They had a large family together, with seven sons and five daughters.

Political Career in Ireland

Gustavus Hume Rochfort began his public service in 1796 when he became the High Sheriff of Westmeath. A High Sheriff was a very important local official, responsible for keeping law and order in their county.

Soon after, in 1798, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Westmeath. He served in the Irish House of Commons, which was the main law-making body for Ireland at that time.

The Acts of Union

Rochfort's time in the Irish Parliament ended in 1800. This was because of a major historical event called the Acts of Union 1800. These acts joined the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This meant the Irish Parliament was closed, and Irish representatives would instead go to the Parliament in London.

Serving in the UK Parliament

After the Acts of Union, Gustavus Hume Rochfort continued his political career. From 1801 until his death in 1824, he represented Westmeath in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. This was the main law-making body for the entire United Kingdom, located in London.

He was a member of the Tory party. In those days, the Tories were one of the two main political groups in Britain. They generally supported traditional ideas and the power of the monarchy and the Church.

Lord Lieutenant of Westmeath

In addition to his role as an MP, Rochfort also served as the Lord Lieutenant of Westmeath from 1815 until his death in 1824. A Lord Lieutenant was the monarch's personal representative in a county. They were responsible for various duties, including military matters and local administration.

Gustavus Hume Rochfort passed away on 30 January 1824, having served in public office for many years.