Francis Blackburne - Judicial Career

Judicial Career

He was called to the Irish bar in 1805 and practised with great success on the home circuit. Blackburne was nominated a King's Counsel in 1822 and administered the Insurrection Act in Limerick for two years, effectually restoring order in the district. In 1826 he became the King's Third Serjeant-at-law and in 1830 was advanced to the Second Serjeant. A year later, he was appointed Attorney-General for Ireland and on this occasion was sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland. He held the post as attorney-general until 1834, however was readmitted in 1841 and after serving for a year, became Master of the Rolls in Ireland. In 1845, he was chosen Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench. Blackburne was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland in February 1852, but was replaced already in October. After a break of four years, he became a Lord Justice of Appeal in Ireland. In 1866, he began a second term as lord chancellor, which ended with his death in the next year.

Blackburne prosecuted Daniel O'Connell and presided at the trial of William Smith O'Brien. From 1851, he was vice-chancellor of the University of Dublin.