George Ensor

Who was George Ensor?

George Ensor J.P. was an eminent Irish author and lawyer.

Ensor was born in Ardress, County Armagh and lived in Ardress house, Ireland and educated at the Royal School, Armagh followed by Trinity College Dublin. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1792. He married Esther Weld on 7 January 1804. His father, George Ensor, and uncle, John Ensor, were architects who designed much of Merrion Square, Parnell Square, the Rotunda of the Rotunda Hospital, now the Ambassador Theatre, the Hotel Saint George and the Castle Hotel - all in Dublin. They originated from Coventry and Wilnecote, England. George was the first of the 'Irish' Ensors and John the first of the Rollesby Hall/New Zealand Ensors.

He was a well-known political writer and patriot, author of at least twenty books of educational and Irish interest, and the father-in-law of J. P. Prendergast the historian. He was a friend of Daniel O'Connell, Jeremy Bentham and James Mill. He accompanied John Stuart Mill to France in 1820. Was a grand juror and High Sheriff of County Armagh and died in 1843 at the family home, Ardress House, now property of the National Trust.