Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt (third creation) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Powerscourt
PC (I)
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| Member of Parliament for Boyle | |
| In office 1727–1743 Serving with Arthur French
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| Preceded by | Henry King Robert Sandford |
| Succeeded by | Arthur French Sir Robert King, Bt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard Wingfield
19 August 1697 |
| Died | 21 October 1751 (aged 54) |
| Spouses |
Anne Usher
(m. 1721, died)Dorothy Beresford Rowley
(m. 1727) |
| Relations | Sir Arthur Gore, 1st Baronet (grandfather) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Edward Wingfield Eleanor Gore |
| Residence | Powerscourt House |
Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt (born August 19, 1697 – died October 21, 1751) was an important person in Irish politics. He was known as an Anglo-Irish politician and a peer. A peer is someone who holds a special title, like a Viscount, and often has a seat in a country's parliament. He was also a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, which meant he was a special advisor to the King.
Early Life and Family
Richard Wingfield, the 1st Viscount Powerscourt, was born into an important family. His father was Edward Wingfield, who was a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Sligo. An MP is a person chosen to represent a group of people in parliament. Richard's mother was Eleanor Gore. Her father was Sir Arthur Gore, 1st Baronet, another important title. Richard was also related to an earlier Viscount Powerscourt, Folliott Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt.
Political Career
Richard Wingfield started his political journey in the Irish House of Commons. This was like the main law-making body in Ireland at the time. He served as a Member of Parliament for a place called Boyle. He held this position from 1727 to 1743.
In 1743, Richard received a big honor. He was given the title of Viscount Powerscourt and Baron Wingfield. These titles were part of the Peerage of Ireland. This meant he moved from the House of Commons to the Irish House of Lords. The House of Lords was another part of the parliament, usually for people with noble titles. In 1746, he became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This group of people gave advice to the King about Ireland.
Powerscourt House
Richard Wingfield was also famous for his work on Powerscourt House. This was his family's grand home in County Wicklow. Between 1731 and 1741, he hired a talented German architect named Richard Cassels. Together, they made many big changes and improvements to the house, making it even more beautiful and impressive.
Family Life
Richard Wingfield was married twice. His first wife was Anne Usher. They married on August 30, 1721. After she passed away, he married Dorothy Beresford Rowley on April 13, 1727. Dorothy's father was Hercules Rowley.
Richard and Dorothy had four children together:
- Hon. Frances Wingfield (1728–1794): She married John Gore, 1st Baron Annaly, in 1747.
- Edward Wingfield, 2nd Viscount Powerscourt (1729–1764): He became an MP for Stockbridge. Edward never married and passed away in 1764.
- Richard Wingfield, 3rd Viscount Powerscourt (1730–1788): He also became an MP, representing County Wicklow. He married Lady Amelia Stratford in 1760.
- Hon. Isabella Wingfield (died 1808): She married Sir Charles Style, 5th Baronet, in 1770.
Lord Powerscourt passed away on October 21, 1751. His eldest son, Edward, took over his titles. When Edward passed away without children, Richard's second son, also named Richard, became the 3rd Viscount Powerscourt.
Images for kids
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Portrait of his eldest son, Edward, by a member of the circle of Francis Cotes
