John Bennett (Irish politician) facts for kids
John Bennett was an important Irish politician, lawyer, and judge who lived from about 1720 to 1792. He was known for being very independent. His family was also quite famous, as his granddaughter married the well-known writer, Sheridan le Fanu.
John Bennett's Early Life
John Bennett was born in Cork, Ireland, around 1720. His father was George Bennett. He had a cousin, William Henn, who would later become a judge like him.
John studied at Trinity College Dublin and also at the Middle Temple in London. He became a lawyer in Ireland in 1758.
He tried to enter politics, but it was not easy at first. In 1776, he was chosen to represent Dungarvan in the Irish House of Commons. This was like the Parliament of Ireland back then. However, he quickly lost his seat.
In 1783, he tried again for Parliament. He ran for two different areas: Castlemartyr and Charleville. He won both times! He chose to represent Castlemartyr in the end.
Becoming a Judge
John Bennett's first job as a judge was the Recorder of Cork. We are not sure of the exact dates he held this job. It was most likely from 1783 to 1787.
In 1787, he became a justice in the Court of King's Bench in Ireland. This was a very important court. He worked there until he passed away in 1792.
John Bennett was known for thinking for himself. This meant he often disagreed with the main judge, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, John Scott. Scott was a very strong leader. He wanted to control everything in the Court of King's Bench.
From the start, Scott saw Bennett as someone who would not just follow orders. He even called Bennett "one adverse to me." Scott tried to stop Bennett from becoming a judge. Scott also thought Bennett's cousin, William Henn, was "at best a fool." It was only after Bennett died and Henn retired that Scott could run the court exactly how he wanted.
John Bennett's Family
John Bennett married Jane Lovett. Her family owned land in Buckinghamshire, England, and County Tipperary, Ireland. Jane's brother was Sir Jonathan Lovett.
John and Jane Bennett had several children:
- John Bennett junior: He lived in Riverston, County Tipperary. He married Maria Elizabeth Crofts. They had a daughter named Jane. This Jane married James Jocelyn Poe.
- George Bennett QC (1777-1856): He was a lawyer known for his strong political views. He had several children. One daughter, Susanna (who died in 1858), married the famous writer Sheridan le Fanu. Another daughter, Jane (who died in 1860), married Reverend Delves Broughton. She was the mother of another well-known writer, Rhoda Broughton.
- Jane: She married Richard Pennefather, who was also a judge. They had children.
- Susan (Susannah): She married Samuel Francis Delap in 1800. She passed away in France in 1825. She had children, including Reverend Robert Delap and Mary Ann. Mary Ann married Somerset Richard Maxwell, 8th Baron Farnham.
