William Saurin

William Saurin was an Irish barrister, Crown official and politician. He was Attorney-General for Ireland from 1807 to 1822, and for much of that period, he acted as the effective head of the Irish Government. He was unusual among Irish Law Officers in that he was never appointed a judge, nor wished to become one. As an Ulster Protestant, and a determined opponent of Catholic Emancipation, he incurred the bitter enmity of Daniel O'Connell, who called him "the mortal foe", and worked for years to have him removed from office.

Occupation

barrister, politician

Position held

Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Ireland, Member of the Privy Council of Ireland

Born

1757

Died

January 11, 1839