John Butler, 1st Earl of Gowran
John Butler, Earl of Gowran was an MP in the Irish Parliament before being created Earl of Gowran in 1676.Birth and origins
John was born in 1643, probably at Kilkenny Castle, as the sixth child of James Butler and his wife Elizabeth Preston. His father was the 1st Duke of Ormond and an eminent member of the Butler dynasty. Thomas's mother was a second cousin once removed of his father. She was the heiress of Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond. His parents married on Christmas Day 1629.
John was one of 10 siblings, but five died in childhood.In Parliament
On 20 August 1662, during the Irish Parliament, the only one held in the reign of Charles II, he replaced his brother Thomas as the member for Trinity College as Thomas had been summoned to the House of Lords by a writ of acceleration as Earl of Ossory and could therefore not sit any more in the House of Commons.Marriage and children
He married Lady Anne Chichester, only daughter of Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall.On 13 April 1676 John Butler was created Baron Aghrim, Viscount Clonmore and Earl of Gowran, all in the Peerage of Ireland.Death
He travelled to Paris for the recovery of his health but died there in August 1677, aged about 34.
He left no issue and his titles died with him.
