Bourke, Robert, 1st Baron Connemara (1827-1902)

Bourke, Robert, 1st Baron Connemara

COLONIAL GOVERNOR, POLITICIAN, BARRISTER (IRELAND)

BORN 11 Jun 1827, Hayes, County Meath - DIED 3 Sep 1902, London: grosvenor Street
GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (165/PS (36664))

Robert Bourke was the third son of Robert Bourke, 5th Earl of Mayo (1797-1867) and Anne Charlotte Jocelyn. His elder brother, the 6th Earl, was Viceroy of India. Robert studied at Trinity College in Dublin and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1852. He worked as a barrister for several years. In 1863 he married Susan Georgiana Ramsay, the daughter of the 1st Marquess of Dalhousie.

In 1868 he became a member of Parliament for the Conservative Party for King's Lynn. He was Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under Disraeli from 1874 to 1880. From 1885 to 1886 he returned to his post under Lord Salisbury. In 1886 he became Governor of Madras and in 1887 he received the title of Baron Connemara. The Connemara Public Library in Madras was named after him.

He resigned in 1890 and soon afterwards he was was sued for divorce by his wife in Great Britain, because he had infected her with syphilis and had committed adultery with her maid. He left for Great Britain in December 1890 and they were divorced in 1891. His wife married Dr. Briggs, a former member of his staff. In 1894 he married Getrude Coleman, who died in 1898. He had no children and he died in London in 1902. His barony became extinct at his death.

Images

The grave of Robert Bourke, 1st Baron Connemara, at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
Picture by Androom (02 Aug 2019)