He was born in Dublin and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. After travelling in Russia he entered parliament, and sat successively for Kildare, Coleraine and Cockermouth. He was Chief Secretary for Ireland in three administrations, in 1852, 1858 and 1866, and was appointed Viceroy of India in 1869. He consolidated the frontiers of India reorganized the country's finances; he also did much to promote irrigation, railways, forests and othef useful public works. While visiting the convict settlement at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, for the purpose of inspection, he was assassinated by a convict.
| Preceded by: Robert Bourke | Earl of Mayo | Followed by: Dermot Bourke |