:Sir Edward Newenham MP 1734–1814: Defender of the Protestant Constitution

Abstract

Over the past two decades, James Kelly has established a reputation as one of the foremost, prolific authors on eighteenth-century Irish politics. Following the publication of his biography of Henry Flood, his new book is an in-depth analysis of the career of Sir Edward Newenham, one of the leading radical figures in late eighteenth-century Irish parliamentary politics. Like Flood, Newenham is a frustrating subject for the modern historian. In many ways one of the most charismatic and radical parliamentarians of his age, he was a poor parliamentary performer. As Kelly makes clear, Newenham often remained silent in key parliamentary debates, preferring to leave other more gifted speakers to argue the radical cause. In an age when rhetorical ability was critical to parliamentary influence, Newenham appears to have been at a significant disadvantage. He entered the Irish House of Commons in 1769, during the controversial Townshend viceroyalty. Ironically, in light of Newnham's passion for the cause of parliamentary reform, he purchased his seat for £1,900. Newenham's conduct during his first few years in parliament was necessarily circumspect, since he was simultaneously employed as a revenue officer and consequently expected to refrain from opposition to the government. Newenham's discomfiture with this restraint on his ability to follow his radical instincts quickly became apparent, and he soon attempted to obtain permission to sell his office. Unsurprisingly, such permission was refused, and he was dismissed from his revenue post in 1772. While this was a severe financial setback, it permitted Newenham openly to oppose the executive thereafter.