William Abraham

Who was William Abraham?

William Abraham DD, was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. He was born in Glendine, County Cork in 1792 to Henry Abraham a blacksmith and Margaret Broderick, the family moved to o Headborough, Co. Waterford where Abraham was brought up.

William Abraham studied for the priesthood in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth and following ordination he taught in St. John's College, Waterford.

In 1824 Dr Abraham was appointed president of St. John's College, Waterford.

In 1830 he was appointed Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. As Bishop he was unpopular with Irish Nationalists and other Catholic clergy and was seen as favouring British government policy on a number of issues He even voted for the anti-catholic emancipation candidate in the famous Stuarts Election. Bishop Abraham died on the 13th of January, 1837, he was succeeded by Nicholas Foran as Bishop, Foran was the favourite to get the bishopric when Abraham was appointed. He is buried in the chapel of the Holy Trinity, Waterford.