Joseph Devonsher Jackson

Joseph Devonsher Jackson PC (23 June 1783 – 19 December 1857) was an Irish Conservative MP in the United Kingdom Parliament and subsequently a Judge.

He was the eldest son of Strettell Jackson of Peterborough, County Cork, a carrier by trade, and Mary Cousins. He went to a private school run by a local clergyman. He attended Trinity College, Dublin, and attended the Middle Temple, before being called to the Irish Bar in 1806. He built up a lucrative practice, and was able to pay off his father's debts when the family business failed. He was the Queen's Second Serjeant for Ireland. He held the office of Chairman of County Londonderry sessions, which he resigned to seek election to Parliament.

He was MP for Bandon in 1835–1841. On 10 November 1841 he was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland. He was also made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This preferment had the effect of vacating his Parliamentary seat.

Instead of seeking re-election in Bandon, Jackson stood for Dublin University. He represented that seat between 11 February 1842 and 9 September 1842. He was then appointed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland) 1842–1848. He resigned his Parliamentary seat by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds, so he could take up the judicial post. As a judge he was noted for compassion in criminal cases.

Jackson was described as a "temperate" politician, but he was a reliable supporter of the Protestant monarchy, constitution and church as well as the Union between Great Britain and Ireland, and a staunch opponent of Daniel O'Connell (who nicknamed him "Leather Lungs", due to his almost interminable speeches). He lived at Sutton House, Howth, north of Dublin city.

He married in 1811 Sarah Lucinda Clarke, ninth daughter of Benjamin Clarke of Cullenswood, County Dublin, and had several children, including Joseph (died 1867) and Joshua. His widow died in 1858.

References[]

• Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Vol. I 1832-1885, edited by Michael Stenton (The Harvester Press 1976)
• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 1)

External links[]

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Joseph Devonsher Jackson

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