Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo

Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo KP, GMSI, PC (21 February 1822 – 8 February 1872), known as Lord Naas between 1842 and 1867, was an Irish statesman and prominent member of the British Conservative Party. Mayo was born in Dublin, the eldest son of Robert Bourke, 5th Earl of Mayo, and his wife Anne Charlotte, daughter of the Hon. John Jocelyn. His younger brother the Hon. Robert Bourke was also a successful politician. He was educated at... more

Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo KP, GMSI, PC (21 February 1822 – 8 February 1872), known as Lord Naas between 1842 and 1867, was an Irish statesman and prominent member of the British Conservative Party. Mayo was born in Dublin, the eldest son of Robert Bourke, 5th Earl of Mayo, and his wife Anne Charlotte, daughter of the Hon. John Jocelyn. His younger brother the Hon. Robert Bourke was also a successful politician. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. After travelling in Russia, Mayo entered parliament for Kildare in 1847, a seat he held until 1852, and then represented Coleraine from 1852 to 1857 and Cockermouth from 1857 to 1868. He was thrice appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland - in 1852, 1858 and 1866 - and in 1869 he became the fourth Viceroy of India. He consolidated the frontiers of India and reorganised the country's finances; he also did much to promote irrigation, railways, forests and other useful public works. The European-oriented Mayo College at... less