Robert Dillon, 2nd Earl of Roscommon facts for kids

Robert Dillon, 2nd Earl of Roscommon (died 1642) was an important figure in Ireland. He held the title of Baron Dillon of Kilkenny-West for many years. He became the Earl of Roscommon just one year before he passed away. Robert Dillon was a supporter of Thomas Wentworth, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Wentworth even made him the keeper of the Great Seal. For a short time in 1640, Robert Dillon was also one of the Lord Justices of Ireland.

Robert Dillon's Early Life

Robert Dillon was born in Ireland around 1585. He was the oldest son of James Dillon and Eleanor Barnewall. His father would later become the 1st Earl of Roscommon in 1622.

His family was known as "Old English." This means they were descendants of English people who came to Ireland a long time ago. Their ancestor, Sir Henry Dillon, arrived with Prince John in 1185. Robert's family owned a lot of land in different parts of Ireland.

Robert's mother, Eleanor, was also from an Old English family. She was the daughter of Christopher Barnewall. Robert had 13 brothers and sisters. You can find their names listed on his father's article.

His First Family

Around the year 1600, Robert Dillon married Margaret Barry. She was the sixth daughter of David de Barry, 5th Viscount Buttevant. Her family, the de Barrys, were also Old English, just like Robert's family.

Robert and Margaret had three sons:

• James (born around 1605), who later became the 3rd Earl of Roscommon.
• Lucas, who passed away without having children.
• David, who died when he was a baby.

His Second Family

Around 1610, Robert Dillon married for a second time. His new wife was Dorothy Hastings. She was a Protestant and the fourth daughter of George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon, an English noble. Dorothy had been married before to Sir James Stewart, who passed away in 1609. Sir James was the son of Walter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre, a Scottish noble.

Robert and Dorothy had one son:

• Henry, who died in 1640 and never married.

His Third Family

Between 1622 and 1627, Robert Dillon married for the third time. His third wife was Anne Strode. She was the daughter of Sir William Strode and the widow of Henry Folliott, 1st Baron Folliott, who had died in 1622.

With Anne, Robert had one son:

• Carey (1627–1689), who later became the 5th Earl of Roscommon.

Robert Dillon's Career and Titles

Robert Dillon studied law in London at Gray's Inn. He became a lawyer in 1613. On February 15, 1615, King James I knighted him at Theobalds House in England.

Robert's parents and his first wife were Catholic. His oldest son, James, was also raised Catholic at first. However, Robert and his son James changed to the official religion of the country before Robert's father became a noble. Robert's father, though, remained Catholic.

On January 24, 1620, Robert's father was given the title "Baron Dillon of Kilkenny-West." This happened in a special ceremony at Dublin Castle.

Then, on August 5, 1622, Robert's father was given an even higher title: Earl of Roscommon. This meant that Robert, as the oldest son, could now use the title "Baron Dillon of Kilkenny-West." So, from 1622 to 1641, Robert was known as "Robert Lord Dillon."

In 1627, Robert Dillon became a privy councilor. This meant he was an important advisor to the government. His mother passed away in 1628.

Robert was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Trim Borough in the Irish Parliament of 1634–1635. His father also took his seat in the Irish House of Lords at this time.

On May 26, 1638, Robert was given the important job of being one of the keepers of the Great Seal. This seal was used to make official documents legal.

In December 1640, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Christopher Wandesford, died. King Charles I then chose Robert Dillon and Sir William Parsons to be Lord Justices of Ireland. These were temporary leaders of Ireland. However, Robert was seen as being too close to Thomas Wentworth, who was not popular at the time. So, Robert was replaced by John Borlase on December 31, 1640.

Robert was elected as an MP for Trim Borough again in the Irish Parliament of 1640–1649. While he was in the House of Commons, his father was in the House of Lords.

In March 1641, Robert's father died. Robert then became the 2nd Earl of Roscommon. He took his seat in the Irish House of Lords on August 1, 1641.

Robert Dillon's Death

Robert Dillon, now the Earl of Roscommon, passed away on August 27, 1642. He died in Oxmantown, which is a part of Dublin. His oldest son, James, then became the 3rd Earl of Roscommon.