Introduction
Denis George (c.1751 – 1821) was an Irish judge who held office as Recorder of Dublin, and then as Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). He enjoyeda high reputation amonghis contemporariesfor integrity and benevolence.
Personal life
He was born in Dublin, third son of Denis George of St. Stephen's Green, whose country estate was atClophook near Stradballyin County Laois,and his wife Sarah Young.His eldest brother SirRupert George became an Admiral,andwas the first of the George baronets.
Denis married Dorothea Moore, daughter of Edward Moore of Moorefoot, County Tipperary in 1785,and they had two daughters. She died in 1814. He retired from the Bench in 1821 and died at his home, Coldblow House inDonnybrook, Dublin the same year.
Career
Denis graduated asBachelor of Arts from the University of Dublin in 1773, entered Middle Temple in 1774 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1776. He was a commissioner in bankruptcy, became Recorder of Dublin in 1785 and aBaron of the Exchequer in 1794.
He was frequently called on to sit on special commissions to deal with political crime, notably after the Rebellion of 1798, the Irish Rebellion of 1803 (which was led by Robert Emmet)and the agrarian unrest caused by a secret society called The Threshers in 1806.. Hisspeech of welcome for the new Lord Mayor of Dublin, Henry Hutton, in 1803 shows how profoundly the Emmet Rising had shaken the ruling class, although he concluded optimistically that "the foul rebellion which disgraced our streets" had beendefeatedby firm Government action.
Reputation
Even the harshest critics of the Irish judiciary at that timehad nothing but praise for George: he was described as a man of stainless reputation and of "unrivalled humanity". There is anagreeabledescriptionof George and his wife wandering the grounds of Coldblow House each autumn to pick blackberries.