| Notes |
- OBITUARY.
THE DUKE OF LEINSTER.
Our Dublin Correspondent telegraphed last night:—
The death of the DUKE of LEINSTER from typhoid fever, which took place this morning, has caused general regret throughout the city, as well as in the district around his residence at Carton, Maynooth. Only a few days ago did the fact that he was ill become generally known, although he had been suffering for nearly a fortnight. The accounts which were received as to his condition represented that his illness was serious, but until yesterday there was no fear at least of any imminent danger. The immediate cause of death was the fact that the disease attacked his heart with a severity which the best of medical skill could not mitigate. The event is felt as a calamity to the illustrious family of which he was the head and a blow which will be acutely felt by the several circles in which he was held in esteem. The deceased Duke, Gerald FitzGerald, was the fifth possessor of the title, to which he succeeded on the death of his father in 1887. He was born on August 16, 1851. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1888. In 1884 he married Lady Hermione Wilhelmina Duncombe, daughter of the first Earl of Feversham. Of simple and retiring habits, he did not mingle in the strife of politics, and his presence at any important Unionist demonstration where he moved a resolution was regarded as an exceptional incident. He took part in the proceedings of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, of which he was an earnest and an honoured member, and at the special meeting to protest against the Home Rule Bill he moved the principal resolution. He took a deep interest in agricultural matters, and was an active member of the committee of the Royal Dublin Society. He was also a trustee for the National Library of Ireland and president of the Royal Horticultural Society. He seldom appeared in public assemblies, and preferred to live in calm retirement at Carton, discharging his several duties and enjoying the respect and friendship of all classes around him. His kind and genial manner endeared him to the people of Kildare, and the most cordial relations were always maintained between him and his tenantry. He was lord lieutenant and justice of the peace of the county Kildare, and ranked as premier duke, marquis, and earl of Ireland. In the year 1874-5 he held the post of captain of the Kildare Militia. He is succeeded in title and estates by his eldest son, Maurice (heretofore Marquis of Kildare), born in March, 1887. His second son, Lord Desmond FitzGerald, was born in 1888. Besides Carton-house, the Leinster family have a residence at Kilkea Castle, Mageney, county Kildare. The old town residence of the family is now occupied by the Royal Dublin Society, and the only house they have in Dublin is in Dominick-street, where the business of the estate office is carried on.
source: Obituary of Gerald FitzGerald. London, UK: The Times, 2 Dec 1893, p. 10.
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1851 - 1893 (42 years)
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