James FitzGerald, 1st Duke of Leinster
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James FitzGerald, 1st Duke of Leinster (May 29, 1722 – November 19, 1773) was an Irish nobleman and politician. He was the son of Robert FitzGerald, 19th Earl of Kildare, and was Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons for Athy before succeeding his father as twentieth Earl of Kildare in 1744.
In 1747, on the occasion of his marriage to Lady Emilia Mary Lennox, daughter of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond and Lennox, he was in the Peerage of Great Britain created Viscount Leinster, of Taplow, and took his seat at Westminster that same year. From 1749 to 1755 he was one of the leaders of the Popular Party in Ireland, and served as the country's Master-General of the Ordnance between 1758 and 1766, becoming Colonel of the Royal Irish Artillery in 1760.
In 1761 Leinster was created Marquess of Kildare and Earl of Offaly in the Peerage of Ireland, and five years later he was finally created Duke of Leinster, becoming by this time the premier duke, marquess and earl in the Peerage of Ireland.
His third son Lord Charles FitzGerald, was created Baron Lecale in 1800.
The Duke died aged 51 at Leinster House, Dublin, and was buried in the city's Christ Church Cathedral.
| Peerage of Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Creation |
Duke of Leinster 1766–1773 |
Succeeded by William FitzGerald |
| Preceded by Robert FitzGerald |
Earl of Kildare 1744–1773 |
|
