Maurice FitzGerald, 18th Knight of Kerry facts for kids

Sir Maurice FitzGerald (born December 29, 1774 – died March 7, 1849) was an important Irish leader. He held the special title of the 18th Knight of Kerry, which was passed down in his family. He was also a politician who worked to make things better for Ireland.

Early Life and Family Heritage

Growing Up and Becoming the Knight of Kerry

Maurice FitzGerald was born in 1774. When he was just seven years old, his father passed away. This meant young Maurice inherited the special family title of the Knight of Kerry. This title was a very old and respected one in Ireland.

Developing Valentia Island

Sir Maurice took care of his family's lands in County Kerry, which included a beautiful place called Valentia Island. He was very clever and helped develop a famous slate quarry on the island. This quarry produced a special blue slate that was very popular! It was used for fancy billiard tables and as roofing for some of the most famous buildings in the world, like the Paris Opera House, Westminster Abbey, and St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Sir Maurice was also very interested in plants. He noticed that Valentia Island had a special climate, perfect for growing plants from warmer places, like South America. He created a large garden, planting many new and exciting species. His gardens became very famous and are now dense woodlands.

A Visit from a Famous Poet

In 1848, a well-known English poet named Alfred, Lord Tennyson visited Sir Maurice on Valentia Island. Tennyson was very impressed by the island's tall cliffs and big waves. He also admired Sir Maurice, who was nearly 80 years old but still had a lively spirit and a majestic presence. People described Sir Maurice as a true gentleman, representing his family's long and important history.

Political Career

Representing Ireland in Parliament

Sir Maurice FitzGerald was a politician who served in the Irish House of Commons from 1795 until 1801. He represented County Kerry and also Tralee for a short time.

After 1801, when Ireland joined with Great Britain, he continued his political work. He became a Member of Parliament for Kerry in the new United Kingdom Parliament, serving from 1801 to 1831.

News of Waterloo

In 1815, Sir Maurice was traveling in Belgium. He heard important news about a big battle that was about to happen – the Battle of Waterloo. He quickly brought this news from Ghent to London, helping to inform the government about the upcoming historic event. He later served as a Civil Lord of the Admiralty from 1834 to 1835, which meant he helped manage the British Navy.

Personal Life

Family and Marriages

In 1801, Sir Maurice FitzGerald married Maria la Touche. Her family was also very well-known in Dublin. Together, Sir Maurice and Maria had ten children.

After Maria passed away in 1829, Sir Maurice married Cecilia Maria Knight. She passed away in 1859.