Thomas O'Hagan, 1st Baron O'Hagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord O'Hagan
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Lord O'Hagan, c. 1868.
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| Lord Chancellor of Ireland | |
| In office 1868–1874 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | William Ewart Gladstone |
| Preceded by | Abraham Brewster |
| Succeeded by | In commission |
| In office 1880–1881 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | William Ewart Gladstone |
| Preceded by | John Thomas Ball |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Law |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 May 1812 Belfast |
| Died | 1 February 1885 (aged 72) Hereford House, London |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal |
Thomas O'Hagan, the 1st Baron O'Hagan (born May 29, 1812, died February 1, 1885), was an important Irish lawyer and judge. He held a very high position called the Lord Chancellor of Ireland twice. He served first from 1868 to 1874, and again from 1880 to 1881. He was also a Knight of St Patrick and a Queen's Counsel, which means he was a top lawyer.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas O'Hagan was born in Belfast, Ireland. His father, Edward O'Hagan, was a merchant. Thomas went to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. At that time, he was the only Catholic student there. In 1836, he became a lawyer in Ireland. This was the start of his legal career.
A Career in Law and Politics
From 1838 to 1841, O'Hagan worked as an editor for The Newry Examiner newspaper. In 1840, he moved to Dublin, the capital city. There, he worked on many important political trials. He became a Queen's Counsel (a senior lawyer) in 1849.
O'Hagan supported keeping Ireland united with Great Britain. This view made him lose some support from the Nationalist party. However, he was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland in 1860. The next year, he became Attorney-General for Ireland. In 1863, he was elected to Parliament as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Tralee.
In 1865, O'Hagan became a judge. Then, in 1868, he was made Lord Chancellor of Ireland. This was part of William Ewart Gladstone's first government.
First Catholic Lord Chancellor
Thomas O'Hagan was the first Roman Catholic to hold the position of Lord Chancellor since the time of King James II. A new law in 1867 allowed Catholics to hold this important role. In 1870, he was given the title Baron O'Hagan. This meant he became a Lord. He held the office until 1874 when the government changed.
In 1880, he became Lord Chancellor again when Gladstone's party returned to power. He stayed in this role until 1881.
Important Changes and Challenges
During his time as Lord Chancellor, O'Hagan helped pass several new laws in Ireland. One of the most important was the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act 1870. This law helped protect tenants by giving them money if they were unfairly evicted.
His first term was also known for his disagreements with another judge, Jonathan Christian. Christian was known for being critical of other judges. O'Hagan seemed to see Christian's complaints as minor issues. When O'Hagan started his second term, he was glad that Christian had retired.
After he retired from being Lord Chancellor, Lord O'Hagan received another honor in 1882. He was made a Knight of St Patrick. The year before, he had become the Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Ireland. He also served as president of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland from 1867 to 1870.
Family Life
Lord O'Hagan married his first wife, Mary Teeling, in 1836. They had a son named Charles, who sadly died young. They also had two daughters, Frances and Madeline. Mary passed away in 1868.
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In 1871, he married his second wife, Alice Towneley. Alice inherited a large family home called Towneley Park. However, it was very expensive to maintain. She sold it in 1901. Thomas and Alice had two sons, Thomas and Maurice. Both of them later inherited his title. They also had two daughters, Kathleen and Mary. Mary married a famous general, Sir Charles Monro, 1st Baronet. Alice died in 1921.
Lord O'Hagan died in London in February 1885, at the age of 72. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. His eldest son, Thomas, became the 2nd Baron O'Hagan. After Thomas died, his other son, Maurice, became the 3rd Baron.
A friend of O'Hagan, Thomas Macknight, believed that O'Hagan would have been against Irish Home Rule. This was a political idea for Ireland to govern itself. O'Hagan died before this issue became a major debate.
Thomas O'Hagan's sister, Mary, was an Abbess. She led a convent of nuns called the Poor Clares.
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