Joseph Leeson, 2nd Earl of Milltown
Joseph Leeson, 2nd Earl of Milltown (1730 – 27 November 1801), styled Viscount Russborough between 1763 and 1783, was an Irish peer.
Life
Leeson was the son of Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown, by Cecilia, daughter of Francis Leigh, of Rathangan.[1] He had his portrait painted in 1751 in Italy and he is thought to have had an affair with Peg Plunkett who took his surname even though they never married.[2]
He was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Thomastown in 1757, a seat he held until 1761.[3] He became known by the courtesy title Viscount Russborough when his father was elevated to an earldom in 1763. In 1783 he succeeded in the earldom and took his seat in the Irish House of Lords.
Lord Milltown died in November 1801[4] and was succeeded by his younger brother, Brice Leeson.
References
- thepeerage.com Joseph Leeson, 2nd Earl of Milltown
- Peakman, Julie (2015). Peg Plunkett: Diary of a Whore. ISBN 9781782067733.
- "leighrayment.com Irish House of Commons 1692-1800". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- Salisbury and Winchester Journal - obituaries. 7 December 1801.
| Parliament of Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Nicholas Aylward Redmond Morres |
Member of Parliament for Thomastown 1757–1761 With: Redmond Morres |
Succeeded by Alexander McAuley Thomas Eyre |
| Peerage of Ireland | ||
| Preceded by Joseph Leeson |
Earl of Milltown 1783–1801 |
Succeeded by Brice Leeson |