Stephen Woulfe Flanagan facts for kids

Stephen Woulfe Flanagan (born August 4, 1816 – died December 6, 1891) was an important person in Ireland. He owned land, worked as a lawyer (called a barrister), and became a judge. He served as a judge in special courts like the Landed Estates Court and later in the main Irish High Court.

Stephen Woulfe Flanagan's Life Story

Stephen Woulfe Flanagan was born in County Kildare, Ireland. His father was Terence Flanagan, and his mother was Mary Johanna Woulfe. His mother's brother, also named Stephen Woulfe, was a very important judge called the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.

Stephen Woulfe Flanagan went to Trinity College Dublin in 1833. He then studied law at the Middle Temple in London starting in 1837. In 1838, he finished his studies and became a lawyer, which is known as being "called to the Irish Bar." Later, in 1859, he was given a special title called Queen's Counsel. This title is given to experienced lawyers who are highly respected.

His Work as a Judge

Stephen Flanagan first worked as a secretary for the Landed Estates Commission. This group helped manage land in Ireland. In 1850, he became a Master in the Encumbered Estates' Court. This court dealt with land that had financial problems.

In 1869, Stephen Flanagan became a judge in the Landed Estates Court. He was the only judge there for a while until another judge, Henry Ormsby, joined in 1875. In 1878, the Landed Estates Court was closed. Stephen Flanagan then became a judge in the Chancery Division of the Irish High Court. This court handles cases about property, trusts, and business agreements.

Stephen Flanagan retired from being a judge in 1885. He was then made a member of the Imperial Privy Council. He had already joined the Irish Privy Council in 1876. The Privy Council is a group of important advisors to the King or Queen. Even after retiring, he sometimes helped hear appeals in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Stephen Flanagan owned a lot of land, about 3,500 acres, in areas like Sligo and Roscommon. He also had homes near Dublin. He was a Roman Catholic and supported the Liberal Party in politics. He passed away in Dublin in 1891.

Stephen Woulfe Flanagan's Family

In 1851, Stephen Woulfe Flanagan married Mary Deborah Corballis. They had a large family with six sons and five daughters.

Their oldest son, John Woulfe Flanagan (1852–1929), became a main writer for a famous newspaper called The Times. He also held an important local position called High Sheriff of Roscommon.

Sadly, Stephen's fourth son, James Woulfe Flanagan, who worked as a resident magistrate (a type of local judge) in Newry, was killed in 1922 after leaving a church service.