Henry Joseph Monck Mason facts for kids

Henry Joseph Monk Mason (born 15 July 1778 – died 14 April 1858) was an Irish writer. He was very interested in the Irish language, even though he didn't speak it from birth. He helped start The Irish Society. This group worked to share religious texts in Irish. He also worked to make prisons better.

Henry Monk Mason's Early Life

Henry Joseph Monk Mason was born in Powerscourt, County Wicklow. His father was Lieutenant-colonel Henry Monck Mason. Henry went to school in Portarlington and Dublin.

College Years and Achievements

In 1793, Henry started studying at Trinity College, Dublin. He was a very good student. In 1796, he was chosen as a scholar. He earned his degree in 1798 and won a gold medal. During his time at college, he was friends with the famous poet Thomas Moore.

Career and Public Service

After college, Henry became a lawyer in 1800. However, he did not work much as a lawyer. Instead, he took a job as an examiner for a special court. Later, in 1814, he became an assistant librarian. He then became the chief librarian at King's Inns in 1815.

Helping the Irish Language

Henry Monk Mason cared a lot about the Irish language. In 1818, he helped create "The Irish Society." This group aimed to teach people in Ireland using their own language. Henry worked as the secretary for this society for many years. He also wrote many short books to help their goals.

Improving Prisons in Ireland

In the same year, 1818, Henry also helped set up a group to make prisons better in Ireland. This group wanted to improve how prisoners were treated. In 1819, he wrote a booklet about what this group wanted to achieve. He even visited prisons himself. He wanted to help people who had committed small crimes to change their lives.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1851, Henry Monk Mason stopped working as the librarian. He moved from Dublin to Bray, in County Wicklow. He lived there for the rest of his life. He passed away on 14 April 1858 and was buried in Powerscourt. In 1816, he married Anne Langrishe. They had two sons and four daughters.

Supporting Irish Studies

Henry had a great idea to help people learn Irish. In 1844, because of his suggestion, The Irish Society created two special scholarships. These scholarships helped students at Dublin University study the Irish language. He also played a big part in setting up a special professor job for Irish studies at the university. In 1812, he became a member of the Royal Irish Academy. He also received two more university degrees in 1817.

Other Talents

Henry Monk Mason was also a talented musician. He wrote several nice songs and played the cello well.

Henry Monk Mason's Writings

Henry wrote many books and pamphlets. Here are some of his important works:

• Essay on the Antiquity and Constitution of Parliaments in Ireland (1820): This book was about the history of parliaments in Ireland.
• An Irish version of the Book of Common Prayer (1825): He helped create a version of this religious book in the Irish language.
• Pamphlets for The Irish Society: These were short writings to support the Irish language and prison reform.
• The Catholic Religion of St. Patrick and St. Columbkill, and the other Ancient Saints of Ireland (1823): A book about the history of religion in Ireland.
• The Lord's Day: a Poem (1829): A poem he wrote.
• The Life of William Bedell, D.D., Lord Bishop of Kilmore (1843): A book about the life of Bishop William Bedell.
• Memoir of the Irish Version of the Bible (1854): A collection of papers about the Irish Bible.

See also

• Owen Connellan