Thomas Goold facts for kids

Thomas Goold (born around 1766, died 1846) was an important lawyer and judge in Ireland. He worked as a Master of the Court of Chancery (Ireland), which was a special court dealing with fairness and legal agreements. He also served briefly in the Irish House of Commons, which was like the parliament of Ireland at the time. He also held the important legal job of Serjeant-at-law.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Goold came from a rich Protestant family in Cork, Ireland. He was the second son of John Goold and Mary Anne Quin. His mother's family, the Quins, were from Adare, County Limerick. The Goold Baronets of Oldcourt, County Cork, were also close relatives. Thomas inherited land in County Limerick from his uncle, John Quin. He also received a lot of money from his father.

Starting a Career in Dublin

Around 1789, Thomas Goold moved to Dublin. He spent a lot of his inherited money on parties and fun. Many future important lawyers and politicians, like Henry Grattan and William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket, were said to be at these events. He also traveled a lot in Europe.

After spending much of his money, he focused seriously on his law career. He became a lawyer in 1791. He wrote a pamphlet defending Edmund Burke's book, Reflections on the French Revolution. This writing was based on what he saw in France. Because of this, he was invited to meet Edmund Burke himself.

Political Views and Parliament

Thomas Goold strongly opposed the Act of Union. This law joined the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1799, he wrote a paper called "Address to the People of Ireland on the subject of the projected Union." He also served in the very last session of the Parliament of Ireland for Kilbeggan. He was part of the group that opposed the Union.

Growth in His Legal Career

Thomas Goold's law practice grew quickly. In 1818, he spoke in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom during an investigation. This was about Windham Quin, who was later the 2nd Earl of Dunraven. Quin was accused of wrongdoing after an election but was found innocent. Thomas Goold and Windham Quin were distant cousins. Later, their families became even closer when Dunraven's son married Goold's daughter.

By 1824, he was considered one of the most important lawyers in Ireland. He was appointed Third Serjeant-at-law in 1823. Some people even said he was the best nisi prius lawyer in Ireland. In 1830, he became First Serjeant. Then, in 1832, he was made a Master in Chancery.

Family Life and Death

Thomas Goold and his wife, Elizabeth Nixon, had six children. They had three sons, including the Right Reverend Frederick Goold, who became Archdeacon of Raphoe. They also had three daughters. One daughter, Caroline, married Sir Robert Gore-Booth, 4th Baronet. Another daughter, Augusta, married her distant cousin, Edwin Wyndham-Quin, 3rd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl.

Thomas Goold passed away on July 16, 1846, at Lissadell, County Sligo. This was the home of his son-in-law, Sir Robert Gore-Booth.

Sources

• Geoghegan, Patrick M. "Goold (Gould), Thomas" Cambridge Dictionary of National Biography