Richard Ryves

Sir Richard Ryves ( 1643-1693 ) was an Irish judge.

Background

He was born in Dublin, eldest son of Charles Ryves, a Chancery official and his wife Jane Ogden; he was a grandson of Sir William Ryves, judge of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland) 1636-1648. The Ryves family were originally from Dorset, but Richard prided himself on being a true Dubliner. He married Mary Savage of Dublin in 1673. He lived first at St. Michael's Lane, then at Capel Street.

Career

He graduated from the University of Dublin, was called to the English Bar in 1669 then returned to practice in Ireland. He enjoyed the patronage of the Duke of Ormonde, through whom he obtained the position of Recorder of Kilkenny in 1671. In 1680 the office of Recorder of Dublin became vacant; Ryves who prided himself on being a "town- born child" applied for and obtained it. However as a Whig in politics he fell out of favour with James II and was removed from office in 1687.

He moved to England and supported the Revolution of 1688. Returning to Ireland in 1689, he was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Great Seal in 1690. He declined an offer to resume the Recordership of Dublin on health grounds, but accepted the position of Baron of the Exchequer.

Death

Ryves suffered from ill-health all his life and by 1691 appears to have ben almost incapacitated; he accepted a seat on the Bench in 1692, but died early the following year.^[1]

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