Henry Bruen (1789–1852) facts for kids

Colonel Henry Bruen (born October 3, 1789 – died November 5, 1852) was an Irish politician. He was a member of the Tory Party and later the Conservative Party. Henry Bruen served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Carlow for about 36 years. He held his seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

About Henry Bruen's Life

Henry Bruen was the son of Henry Bruen and Dorothea Henrietta Knox. His family originally came from Boyle, County Roscommon. In 1775, his father moved to the Oak Park estate near Carlow town. Henry inherited this estate, and it stayed in his family until 1957.

Henry Bruen went to school at Eton College, a famous boarding school. He then studied at Christ Church, Oxford University. In 1816, he became a colonel in the Carlow militia, which was a local military force.

In 1795, Henry Bruen inherited the family estate of Oak Park. Later, in 1828, Colonel Bruen helped build the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. He provided granite from his quarry for the building. He also supplied oak wood from Oak Park for the cathedral's large roof.

Henry Bruen's Political Journey

Henry Bruen was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Carlow in the 1812 general election. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the House of Commons. The House of Commons is where laws are made in the United Kingdom.

After 1812, he was re-elected without anyone running against him three more times. He won a challenging election in 1830. He did not run in the 1831 election. He tried again in 1832 but did not win a seat.

He won a seat again in January 1835. However, the election result was later changed. Henry Bruen lost his seat in a special election held on June 15. But then, that special election result was also changed! So, Henry Bruen was returned to Westminster, which is where the Parliament meets. He served alongside his father-in-law, Thomas Kavanagh, The MacMorrough, who was also a Conservative politician.

Henry Bruen did not win a seat in 1837. But he returned to the House of Commons in 1840. He won a special election on December 5 after another MP passed away. He was then re-elected in the next three general elections. Henry Bruen died in office in November 1852, when he was 63 years old. He had just won his seat again in the July general election five months earlier.

Henry Bruen's Family

In 1822, Henry Bruen married Anne Wandesforde Kavanagh. Anne was the daughter of Thomas Kavanagh, The MacMorrough and Lady Elizabeth Butler. Anne's younger half-brother was Arthur MacMorrough Kavanagh (1831–1889). Arthur was a famous writer, politician, and sportsman who had severe disabilities.

Henry and Anne had three daughters and one son. Their son, also named Henry (1828–1912), followed in his father's footsteps. He also became an MP for County Carlow, serving from 1857 to 1880.