Hedges Eyre Chatterton facts for kids

Hedges Eyre Chatterton (born July 5, 1819 – died August 30, 1910) was an important Irish lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party and served in the United Kingdom Parliament. Later, he became a judge, holding the special role of Vice-Chancellor of Ireland.

Life and Career of Hedges Chatterton

Hedges Eyre Chatterton was born in Cork, Ireland. He was the oldest son of Abraham Chatterton, who was a solicitor (a type of lawyer). Hedges studied at Trinity College Dublin. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in Ireland in 1843.

Becoming a Queen's Counsel

In 1858, Hedges Chatterton became a Queen's Counsel (QC). This is a special title given to experienced lawyers. It means they are recognized for their skills and knowledge in law.

Roles in Government

Chatterton served as the Solicitor General for Ireland from 1866 to 1867. He then became the Attorney General for Ireland in 1867. These are important legal roles in the government. On March 30, 1867, he was made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This council advises the head of state.

Member of Parliament and Judge

In 1867, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dublin University. This meant he represented the university in the House of Commons. However, he left Parliament later that year. He was appointed to a new judicial position: Vice-Chancellor of Ireland. He served as a judge in this role until he retired in 1904. The office of Vice-Chancellor was ended when he retired.

Family Life

Hedges Chatterton married Mary Halloran in 1845. She passed away in 1901. In 1904, the same year he retired, he married Florence Henrietta Gore. He did not have any children.

His Time as a Judge

Hedges Chatterton served as a judge for many years. When he retired, other lawyers spoke about his good qualities. They mentioned that he was a dedicated judge.

Renaming Sackville Street

In 1885, Chatterton was involved in a public discussion about renaming Sackville Street in Dublin. The city council, called Dublin Corporation, voted to change the name to O'Connell Street.

Public Debate and Decision

Many local residents did not agree with the name change. One resident asked a court to stop it. Chatterton, as a judge, agreed with the resident. He issued an injunction, which is a court order to stop something from happening. He said the city council did not have the legal power to change the street name at that time.

Outcome of the Controversy

The debate about the street name did not last long. In 1890, the city council was given the legal power to change the name. The new name, O'Connell Street, officially became accepted in 1924. By then, most people in Dublin were happy with the change.