Thomas Burton Vandeleur facts for kids

Thomas Burton Vandeleur was an important Irish judge and barrister (a type of lawyer). He lived from about 1767 to 1835. He was known for his work in the legal system in Ireland during his time.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Burton Vandeleur was born in a town called Kilrush in County Clare, Ireland. His family was well-known and owned a lot of land. They originally came from the Netherlands and settled in Kilrush in the 1680s. His family helped to make the town of Kilrush better.

Thomas was a younger son. His father was Crofton Vandeleur, who was a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was like a parliament for Ireland at the time. His mother was Alice Burton. Thomas also had an older brother named John Ormsby Vandeleur. John built a large house called Kilrush House in 1808.

Education and Legal Career

Thomas went to Trinity College Dublin for his education. In 1785, he joined Lincoln's Inn, which is a place in London where people train to become barristers. Many younger sons from landowning families chose to become lawyers back then. Thomas might have been inspired by his mother's grandfather, John Forster. John Forster was a very respected judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas.

In 1790, Thomas officially became a barrister in Ireland. This meant he could argue cases in court. Later, in 1816, he became a King's Counsel. This was a special title given to experienced lawyers.

Becoming a Judge

Thomas Vandeleur continued to rise in his legal career. From 1821 to 1822, he held the position of Third Serjeant-at-law (Ireland). This was another important legal role. In 1820, he also worked as an extra judge for special court sessions called assizes.

In 1822, Thomas was appointed as a justice (a judge) of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland). This was one of the most important courts in Ireland at the time. He served as a judge on this court until he passed away in 1835.

Public Opinion of the Vandeleur Family

During his time as a judge, Thomas Burton Vandeleur was generally well-liked and respected. People thought he was a good judge.

However, after his death, the Vandeleur family became very unpopular. This was because of how they treated the people who rented land from them, known as their tenants. This happened especially during the Great Irish Famine in the 1840s. The family's actions during this difficult time, and later during other farming troubles, made them disliked by many.