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Sir William Fownes, 1st Baronet facts for kids

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Sir William Fownes, 1st Baronet, was an important figure in Ireland long ago. He was born sometime before 1672 and passed away on April 3, 1735. He played a big part in the government of his time.

Who Was Sir William Fownes?

Sir William Fownes was an Anglo-Irish politician. This means he was of English descent but lived in Ireland. He was involved in the political life of Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries.

His Role in Government

Sir William held several important jobs in the Irish government. These roles helped him serve the people of Ireland. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Wicklow. He served as an MP in the Irish House of Commons from 1704 to 1713. An MP is a person chosen to represent a group of people in a country's parliament. The Irish House of Commons was like a part of the government that made laws for Ireland back then.

Serving Dublin and Wicklow

In 1707, Sir William was the High Sheriff of Wicklow. A High Sheriff was a very important local official. They were in charge of keeping the peace and making sure laws were followed in their county. The next year, in 1708, he became the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Lord Mayor is the head of the city government. They lead the city council and represent the city.

A Special Title: Baronet

On October 26, 1724, Sir William Fownes received a special title. He was made a baronet, of Dublin, in the Baronetage of Ireland. A baronet is a title of honor that is passed down through families. It is a bit like a knight, but the title can be inherited. This made him Sir William Fownes, 1st Baronet.

His Legacy

When Sir William Fownes passed away, his son, William Fownes, took over his title. Today, a street in Dublin is named after him. This street is called Fownes Street. It helps people remember his contributions to the city.

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