Stephen Spring Rice (1814–1865) facts for kids

Stephen Edmund Spring Rice (born August 31, 1814 – died May 9, 1865) was an important person who worked for the government and helped many people. He was known as "The Honourable" from 1839 until he passed away. Stephen Spring Rice was the Secretary of the British Relief Association between 1847 and 1848. This group worked to help people during a very difficult time in Ireland.

Stephen Spring Rice's Early Life

Stephen Spring Rice was the oldest son of Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon. His mother was Lady Theodosia Pery. She was the daughter of Edmund Pery, 1st Earl of Limerick. Stephen was born at Mount Trenchard House in Ireland. He went to school at Bury St Edmunds Grammar School in England. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university.

His Career and Helping Others

After finishing university, Stephen Spring Rice started working for the government. This is called the Civil Service. In 1838, he became a Commissioner of Customs. This meant he helped manage the taxes collected on goods coming into the country. Later, in 1856, he became the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Customs. He also served as the High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1837. This was an important local role.

Helping During the Great Irish Famine

On January 1, 1847, Stephen Spring Rice went to the first meeting of the British Relief Association. This meeting was held at the home of his friend, Baron Lionel de Rothschild. Stephen Spring Rice's family owned land in Munster, Ireland. Because of this, he had seen firsthand the terrible effects of the Great Irish Famine. This famine was a time when many people in Ireland did not have enough food.

Stephen Spring Rice was one of only two Irish people on the Association's committee. He was chosen to be its Honorary Secretary. He also gave a large amount of his own money, £1,050, to the charity.

Queen Victoria's Donation

The first public person to donate to the Association was Queen Victoria. She sent a check for £1,000 to Stephen Spring Rice soon after the charity started. But Stephen Spring Rice thought this was not enough. He refused to accept the money. He immediately wrote to Henry Grey, 3rd Earl Grey, to say that the donation was "not enough." This message was sent to the Queen's palace. Because of Stephen Spring Rice's actions, the Queen's donation was doubled to £2,000.

Working with Sir Charles Trevelyan

Stephen Spring Rice often disagreed with Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet. Trevelyan was a government official who had very strict rules about giving out help. Stephen Spring Rice's letters show that he argued about how the British Relief Association should work. His strong opinions were very important in making the charity successful.

Stephen Spring Rice was frustrated with the slow way the government gave out help. In one letter, he asked if the Association could use food from government stores right away. He offered to pay for it immediately. This showed he wanted to help people quickly, without waiting for lots of paperwork.

Other Contributions

On March 15, 1850, Stephen Spring Rice became the Vice-President of Florence Nightingale's Establishment for Gentlewomen during Illness. This was a place that helped women who were sick. Stephen Spring Rice also enjoyed writing poetry throughout his life. In 1863, he published a book in Dublin called Irish Crime, A Letter to A. Beresford Hope.

Stephen Spring Rice's Family Life

Stephen Spring Rice married Ellen Mary Frere on March 11, 1839. They were married in Grundisburgh, England. Together, they had ten children:

• Hon. Aileen Spring Rice (died June 15, 1916)
• Thomas Spring Rice, 2nd Baron Monteagle of Brandon (born May 31, 1849 – died December 24, 1926)
• Hon. Lucy Spring Rice (died May 10, 1884)
• Hon. Theodosia Spring Rice (died July 6, 1926)
• Mary Spring Rice (died April 25, 1868)
• Hon. Alice Spring Rice (died December 23, 1929)
• Hon. Frederica Spring Rice (died April 8, 1924)
• Hon. Catherine Ellen Spring Rice (died September 22, 1930)
• Hon. Amy Spring Rice (died June 13, 1920)
• Francis Spring Rice, 4th Baron Monteagle of Brandon (born October 1, 1852 – died December 22, 1937)

Stephen Spring Rice died on May 9, 1865. He was on a steamship called Tripoli, returning from the Mediterranean Sea. He died before his father. Because of this, the family title of Baron passed to Stephen's son, Thomas, when his father died a year later. In 1870, all of Stephen Spring Rice's living children were given the right to use the title of a baron's child.

Many of his letters are kept at the National Library of Ireland. These letters are very important. They help us understand the political and social events that happened during the Great Irish Famine.