John Patrick Somers

John Patrick Somers (1791–1862)[1][2] was an Irish Liberal, Repeal Association and Whig politician.

John Somers
Member of Parliament for Sligo Borough
In office 2 April 1857 – 31 July 1857
Preceded by	John Arthur Wynne
Succeeded by	John Arthur Wynne
In office 15 July 1848 – 15 July 1852
Preceded by	Charles Towneley
Succeeded by	Charles Towneley
In office 5 August 1837 – 27 March 1848
Preceded by	John Martin
Succeeded by	Charles Towneley
Personal details
Born	1791
Died	1862 (aged 61)
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Liberal
Other political affiliations	Whig Repeal Association

Political career

Somers was first elected MP as a Whig candidate for Sligo Borough in the 1837 general election,[3] and was re-elected several times, including in 1841 when he stood as a Repeal Association candidate. His term was brought to an end in March 1848, when the result of the 1847 general election in which he had been elected unopposed was overturned, as he did not possess the required property qualifications,[4] and he was unseated.[5]

At the resulting by-election in April, Somers again stood as a Repeal Association candidate, but was defeated by the Liberal Charles Towneley. But this election too was overturned, due to Towneley being guilty of treating,[6] and at the next by-election in July, Somers was again re-elected as a Repeal Association candidate. Yet, standing as a Whig at the following general election in 1852 he was again defeated by Towneley, in an election which was again overturned due to bribery on both sides.[7][8] At the ensuing by-election in July 1853, Somers stood as a Liberal candidate but was defeated by the opposing Liberal John Sadleir.[5]

Nevertheless, Somers persisted, standing unsuccessfully at the 1857 by-election caused by Sadleir's death, when he was beaten by the Conservative candidate, John Arthur Wynne. Somers was finally returned to Parliament at the 1857 general election, only for this result to be overturned with the vote numbers revised after several electors, including the Mayor of Sligo, was refused a vote.[9] The revisited results put his opponent, Wynne, one vote ahead, and Somers was again unseated in July 1857, almost four months after the general election.[5]

While Somers attempted to regain the seat in 1859 and 1860, he was ultimately unsuccessful and then retired from politics.[5]

Other activities

Somers was part of the provisional committee of the Irish West Coast Railway, joining in 1845.[10] He was also a Justice of the Peace for County Sligo.[11]

References

1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 3)
2. Farry, Michael (2005). "1800–1846". Killoran and Coolaney: A Local History (PDF). p. 75.
3. The Assembled Commons; Or, Parliamentary Biographer. Scott, Webster and Geary. 1838. p. 210.
4. "Imperial Parliament". Worcestershire Chronicle. 29 March 1848. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
5. Walker, B.M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801–1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. ISBN 0901714127 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "Orders of the Day". Morning Advertiser. 27 June 1848. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
7. "Sligo Borough". King's County Chronicle. 14 July 1852. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
8. Select Committee on the Sligo borough election petition (6 June 1853). Report. Sessional papers. HC 572, 1852-1853 18 595. Retrieved 23 December 2016.; Select Committee on the Sligo borough election petition (10 June 1853). Minutes of evidence, proceedings and index. Sessional papers. HC 600, 1852-1853 18 605, 713. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
9. "Mr. Patrick Somers and Mr. Isaac But". Belfast News Letter. 21 July 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
10. The Economist, Volume 3, Part 2. The Economist. 1845. p. 991. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
11. "Official Authorities of Counties". The Dublin almanac, and general register of Ireland, for 1847 (14 ed.). 1847. p. 262.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Mr John Somers