Background
He was born in Dundrum, Dublin, eldest son of Major Benjamin Ball, of the 40th Regiment of Foot, who had fought with distinction in the Peninsular War, and Elizabeth Feltus, daughter of Cuthbert Feltus of County Carlow.
He was born in Dundrum, Dublin, eldest son of Major Benjamin Ball, of the 40th Regiment of Foot, who had fought with distinction in the Peninsular War, and Elizabeth Feltus, daughter of Cuthbert Feltus of County Carlow.
He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, which he entered when he was only 16, graduating Doctor of Laws in 1844.
He was an outstanding scholar and also enjoyed some reputation as a journalist and minor poet. He became a barrister in 1840, practising mainly in the field of probate and matrimonial law. Queen"s Counsel, 1854.
Vicar-General of the province of Armagh, 1862.
Queen"s Advocate in Ireland, 1865. Solicitor General for Ireland, 1868 and Attorney General for Ireland, 1868 and 1874–1875.
His critics regarded him as an opportunist without any strong political convictions: on a celebrated occasion in the House of Commons, when he asked for the precise date of an event, Richard Dowse, the Government spokesman, replied that it was at roughly the time when Ball changed joined the Conservative party to advance his political career. He opposed Gladstone"s first Irish Land Bill of 1870 and the Irish University Bill of 1873.
On the return of the Conservative Party to power in 1874, he served again as Attorney General for a time.
Although his talents undoubtedly entitled him to a seat on the Bench, Disraeli was reluctant to lose a Law Officer of whom he had the highest opinion. When a suitable replacement as Attorney General was found Ball became Lord Chancellor of Ireland, 1875–1880. As a judge his reputation was excellent: his judgments, especially in probate cases were both learned and well written.
When the Conservatives went out of office in 1880, Ball"s public career came to an end: at 65 his health was starting to fail.
When the Conservatives returned to power in 1885 Ball was too infirm to accept any office in the new Government. After 1890 he rarely left home.
20th United Kingdom Parliament. 21st United Kingdom Parliament]
He became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland in 1868.
He was a Conservative Member of Parliament for Dublin University 1868–1875 and Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1880.
