Walter Hussey Burgh (1742–1783 ) was an Irish statesman and judge.
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He was born in Kildare, son of Ignatius Hussey of Donore House, near Naas, and his wife Elizabeth Burgh. Walter adopted the surname Burgh as a condition for inheriting an estate in Limerick from his uncle. In 1767 he married Anne de Burgh, sister of the statesman William de Burgh and they had a son and five daughters. Anne died in 1782.
He was called to the Bar in 1769 and within a few years became one of its leaders. He entered the Irish House of Commons in the same year, sitting first for Athy, later for the University of Dublin. In Parliament he was a close associate of Henry Grattan and a supporter of his " free trade" programme; he became legendary for his oratory in support of the Irish Patriot Party. He was appointed prime sergeant in 1776, resigned the office in 1779 but was re-appointed in 1782. A month later he was appointed Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer but died the following year at the assizes in Armagh, reportedly from gaol fever.[1]
He was regarded as one of the greatest orators of his time; unfortunately the Irish House of Commons had no equivalent of Hansard and his speeches survive only in fragments. Memorable sayings include-
"Talk not to me of peace. Ireland is not at peace, it is smothered war. England has sown her laws as dragon's teeth, and they have sprung up as armed men."
"Our members are returned by the fear or dependence, not the affection or choice of the electoral body.Unaccountable for their conduct in Parliament ,their venality is unrestrained and universal corruption reigns in the House." '
"I never will support any Government in fraudulently concealing from the King the rights of his people." '
Hussey Burgh seems to have been universally liked: " mild, moderate and patriotic...friendly to a fault, and disinterested to a weakness...honest without affluence and ambitious without corruption. "[2] His one fault , it was generally agreed, was extravagance : his early death left his children unprovided for, and Grattan persuaded the Commons to vote them a pension.[3]