John William Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon, Earl of Bessborough was a British Whig politician.
Background
John William Ponsonby was born on 31 August 1781, the eldest son of Frederick, the third Earl of Bessborough, and his wife, Lady Henrietta Frances Spencer, second daughter of the first Earl Spencer. The family held large estates in Ireland.
Education
He went to Christ Church, Oxford, completed his education there in 1799, and obtained an M.A. in June 1802.
Career
Duncannon’s political career began in 1805, when he entered the House of Commons as Whig M.P. for Knaresborough. In 1806 and 1807 he represented Higham Ferrers, and between 1812 and 1826, Malton. In 1826 he won the Irish seat of Kilkenny, despite the opposition of Daniel O’Connell, the leader of the campaign for Catholic emancipation. He also narrowly won Kilkenny again in the 1831 general election. In 1832 he was elected M.P. for Nottingham.
In February 1831 he was appointed by Lord Grey as the First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, and became a member of the Privy Council. He then became home secretary when Lord Melbourne, his brother-in-law, became prime minister in July 1834, largely as a result of pressure from the now more favorably inclined O’Connell. He then continued in office when Sir Robert Peel became prime minister in December 1834. He returned to the post for woods and forests in April 1835, when Melbourne became prime minister again, and was also Lord Privy Seal until 1839. He also was responsible for the designs of the new houses of Parliament around that time.
In 1846 he was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland. He was friendly at that time with Daniel O’Connell, and he performed well in his Irish post. He died in that post on 16 May 1847, while at Dublin Castle.
Politics
Politically committed to Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform, he was one of the leading Whig Radicals of his day.
Connections
He married Lady Maria Fane, the third daughter of John, tenth Earl of Westmoreland, on 11 November 1805.