Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh

The Most Honourable Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, (June 18, 1769 – August 12, 1822), known until 1821 by his courtesy title of Viscount Castlereagh, was an Anglo-Irish politician born in Dublin who represented the United Kingdom at the Congress of Vienna. He was also intimately involved in securing the controversial passage of the Irish Act of Union. He was the son of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry, a landowner who was created an earl and subsequently a marquess by King George III of the United Kingdom. He received his early education at The Royal School, Armagh. Additionally, the elder Robert Stewart was also known as The Viscount Castlereagh for about one year.

Early Career and Ireland

In 1790, Stewart took the seat of County Down and entered the Irish House of Commons as a Whig on a platform supporting electoral reform and Catholic emancipation. In 1794, he won the English seat of Tregony on a similar platform. In 1795, he crossed the floor to join the Tories, but his initial principles of reform and emancipation always held a place in his political thought.

Related Topics:
1790 - Irish House of Commons - Whig - 1794 - Tregony

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By 1797, he had risen to the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland. In this capacity, he played a key role in quashing the Irish Rebellion of 1798. In 1800, he began lobbying in the Irish and British Parliaments for an official union between the two, convinced that it was the best way to soothe the long-standing sectarian divides in Ireland. After an outstanding display of machiavellian tactical prowess, he got his wish and the Irish Act of Union succeded in passing both parliaments.

Related Topics:
1797 - Chief Secretary for Ireland - Irish Rebellion of 1798 - 1800 - Irish Act of Union

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