Richard Trench, 2nd Earl of Clancarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Clancarty
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| President of the Board of Trade | |
| In office 29 September 1812 – 24 January 1818 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Liverpool |
| Preceded by | The Earl Bathurst |
| Succeeded by | Hon. F. J. Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 May 1767 |
| Died | 24 November 1837 (aged 70) Kinnegad, County Westmeath |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Tory |
| Spouses | Henrietta Margaret Staples (c. 1770–1847) |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge |
Richard Le Poer Trench (born May 19, 1767 – died November 24, 1837) was an important figure in British and Dutch history. He was known as the 2nd Earl of Clancarty and also the 1st Marquess of Heusden.
Richard Trench was a nobleman from both Ireland and the Netherlands. He also worked as a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations. He served as a Member of Parliament in both Ireland and later the United Kingdom. He was a strong supporter of the politician William Pitt. He also held the important job of Postmaster General, first for Ireland and then for the whole United Kingdom.
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Early Life and Education
Richard Trench was the son of William Trench, 1st Earl of Clancarty. His mother was Anne Gardiner. The family lived at Garbally Court in Ballinasloe, County Galway in Ireland. This area was famous for the Great October Fair.
Richard had a brother named Power Le Poer Trench. Power later became an archbishop, a high-ranking church leader. Richard went to school at Kimbolton School and then studied at St John's College, Cambridge.
A Career in Politics
Richard Trench began his political journey in the Irish House of Commons. This was like the parliament for Ireland before it joined with Great Britain. He represented Newtown Limavady from 1796 to 1798.
After that, he represented County Galway until just before the Act of Union in 1800. The Act of Union joined the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain to form the United Kingdom.
Helping Europe After Napoleon
Richard Trench played a key role at the Congress of Vienna in 1814–1815. This was a big meeting where European leaders decided how to redraw the map of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon. Trench helped solve arguments about borders in Holland, Germany, and Italy.
He also served as the Ambassador to the Netherlands. For his excellent work there, he received a special title from William I of the Netherlands. On July 8, 1815, he was given the hereditary title of Marquess of Heusden in the Netherlands. This happened after Napoleon's defeat in Brabant.
Joining the House of Lords
On December 16, 1808, Trench was chosen as one of the 28 representative peers from Ireland. This meant he could sit in the House of Lords in the British Parliament. His position in the House of Lords became hereditary when he was made Baron Trench in 1815 and Viscount Clancarty in 1823. These were British titles, while his older titles were Irish.
He also held other important jobs, such as being a Commissioner for the Affairs of India. He was also the Custos Rotulorum of County Galway, a kind of chief record keeper for the county.
Postmaster General Role
From 1807 to 1809, Richard Trench was one of the joint Postmasters General of Ireland. This role was in charge of the postal service. Later, from 1814 to 1816, he became one of the last joint Postmasters General of the United Kingdom.
Family Life
On February 6, 1796, Richard Trench married Henrietta Margaret Staples. They had several children together:
- Lady Lucy Le Poer Trench (died 1839)
- Lady Louisa Augusta Anne Le Poer Trench (born 1796, died 1881)
- Lady Harriet Margaret Le Poer Trench (born 1799, died 1885)
- Lady Emily Florinda Le Poer Trench (born 1800)
- Lady Frances Power Le Poer Trench (born 1802, died 1804)
- William Thomas Le Poer Trench, 3rd Earl of Clancarty (born 1803, died 1872)
- Hon. Richard John Le Poer Trench (born 1805)
- Commander Hon. Frederick Robert Le Poer Trench (born 1808, died 1867)
