Background
Born at Great Footston in County Meath, he was the son of Richard Blackburne of Great Foot's Town and nephew of Anthony Blackburne, Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of County Meath. His mother, Elizabeth, was the daughter of Francis Hopkins (1724-1778) of Gillstown, Co. Meath and Darvistown, Co. Westmeath, a first cousin of Sir Francis Hopkins M.P., 1st Baronet of Athboy, Co. Meath; two of the great-grandsons of Ezekiel Hopkins, Bishop of Derry during the Siege of Derry.
Blackburne was educated in Dublin at the school of Rev. William White before entering Trinity College, Dublin in 1798, later winning a scholarship, gold medal (1803) and other distinctions. He finally graduated in 1806 (M.A.) and was a member of the Old Historical Society.
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