Henry Grattan - Death and Legacy

Death and Legacy

In the following summer, after crossing from Ireland to London when in poor health to bring forward the Irish question once more, he became seriously ill. On his death-bed he spoke generously of Castlereagh, and with warm eulogy of his former rival, Flood. He died on 6 June 1820, and was buried in Westminster Abbey close to the tombs of Pitt and Fox. His statue is in the Outer Lobby of the Palace of Westminster.

Sydney Smith said of Grattan soon after his death: "No government ever dismayed him. The world could not bribe him. He thought only of Ireland; lived for no other object; dedicated to her his beautiful fancy, his elegant wit, his manly courage, and all the splendour of his astonishing eloquence."

The building housing the faculty of Law and Government at Dublin City University has been named in his honour. Grattan Bridge crossing the river Liffey between Parliament Street on the south side of Dublin and Capel Street on the north side is also named in his honour.

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