William Ormsby-Gore

Who was William Ormsby-Gore?

William Ormsby-Gore, known as William Gore until 1815, was a British Member of Parliament.

Born William Gore, the eldest son of William Gore, MP, of Woodford, Leitrim he was the great-great-grandson of William Gore, third and youngest son of Sir Arthur Gore, 1st Baronet, of Newtown, second son of Sir Paul Gore, 1st Baronet, of Magharabag, whose eldest son Paul was the grandfather of Arthur Gore, 1st Earl of Arran. He was educated at Eton College, the Middle Temple and Merton College, Oxford. In 1815 he married Mary Jane Ormsby, daughter and heiress of Owen Ormsby, and assumed by Royal license the additional surname of Ormsby the same year.

He joined the British Army and served as a lieutenant in the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1800, was promoted to captain in 1802, to major in 1802 and to brevet major in 1813. He went onto half-pay with the 86th Foot in 1815 and as a captain in the 88th Foot. He left the Army in 1829. He was appointed High Sheriff of Shropshire for 1817–18 and High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire for 1820–21.