John Waller was an MP for Limerick in the Irish House of Commons between 1790 and 1801 and subsequently MP for Limerick from 1801 to 1802.

Early life

Waller was born in 1762 or 1765, the eldest son of

John Thomas Waller John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, MP, of Castletown and Elizabeth Bolton of Clonrush, Queen's County. Waller was educated at Harrow 1775–6; and matriculated from Trinity, Dublin 17 Apr. 1779, aged 17. He was further educated at Lincoln Inn 1783. He married Isabella Sarah Oliver, daughter of Silver Oliver, of Castle Oliver, and aunt of William Silver Oliver. Silver Oliver was MP for Limerick from 1768 to 1783. Waller was a descendant of

Hardress Waller Sir Hardress Waller (1666), was an English Protestant who settled in Ireland and fought for Parliament in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. A leading member of the radical element within the New Model Army, he signed the death warrant for the Exe ...

MP for County Limerick from 1639 to 1661. Waller was also Sheriff, Co. Limerick 1792–3.

Political life

In 1798 Waller was returned to the Irish House of Commons for both County Limerick and

Kilmallock Kilmallock () is a town in south County Limerick, Ireland, near the border with County Cork. There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle (or King John's Castle). The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are sti ...

and he chose to sit for County Limerick. Though he was known as an opponent of the Act of Union he was personally friendly with the main supporter of the Act, Lord Clare and the administration in

Dublin Castle Dublin Castle ( ga, Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) is a former Motte-and-bailey castle and current Irish government complex and conference centre. It was chosen for its position at the highest point of central Dublin. Until 1922 it was the se ...

believed he was of their way of thinking. He was elected unopposed in

1801 Events January–March * January 1 ** The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland is completed under the Act of Union 1800, bringing about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the abolition of the Parliament of I ...

. In his brief period as MP there is no record of him taking his seat. He declined to stand in

1802 Events January–March * January 5 – Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, begins removal of the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, claiming they were at risk of destruction during the Ot ...

and the seat was taken by his brother-in-law Charles Silver Oliver.

Later life

Little is known of Waller after he left politics other than he and Lady Waller traveled to France and in 1805 Waller was detained by the French at Verdun and refused to accept special treatment because of his acquaintance with General Arthur O'Connor and in 1806 Lady Waller died in France. It's possible Waller was a prisoner of war in Verdun as he was a captain in the 88th Foot as his own death notice mentioned. He died in 1836 and is buried in Castletown Graveyard.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waller, John 1760s births 1836 deaths Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for County Limerick constituencies (1801–1922) People educated at Harrow School Alumni of Trinity College Dublin UK MPs 1801–1802