Thomas Waite (civil servant) facts for kids
Thomas Waite (born 11 November 1718 – died 2 February 1780) was an English civil servant who worked in Ireland. A civil servant is someone who works for the government, helping to run the country. Thomas Waite was born in Richmond in Yorkshire, England.
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Who Was Thomas Waite?
Thomas Waite spent much of his career working for the British government in Ireland. He held important positions that helped manage the country's affairs. His work involved dealing with official documents, making sure rules were followed, and helping leaders make decisions.
A Secret Agent?
It is thought that a person named Thomas Waite worked as a Hanoverian spymaster after the Jacobite Rising of 1745-46. A spymaster is someone who manages secret agents and gathers important information. This Thomas Waite received reports from agents who had secretly joined groups that supported the Jacobites. He then shared this information with John Sharpe, who worked for the Treasury.
What Was the Jacobite Rising?
The Jacobite Rising was a series of rebellions in Great Britain that tried to bring the Stuart family back to the throne. The last major uprising happened in 1745. The Hanoverian government, which was in power at the time, wanted to stop these rebellions. This is why they used people like Thomas Waite to gather secret information.
Working for the Government in Ireland
The Thomas Waite who was a spymaster might have been the same person who became the Under-Secretary for Ireland. He held this important job from 1747 to 1777. The Under-Secretary worked closely with the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who was a very senior government official.
Important Jobs in Ireland
Thomas Waite also served as Secretary to the Lords Justices of Ireland. The Lords Justices were a group of people who governed Ireland when the main leader, the Lord Lieutenant, was away. This happened often before 1767. Waite's role meant he was responsible for keeping records and helping these important leaders do their jobs.
Sources
- PRONI - Wilmot Papers (T3019)
