John Maxwell-Barry, 5th Baron Farnham

Who was John Maxwell-Barry, 5th Baron Farnham?

John Maxwell-Barry, 5th Baron Farnham PC was an Irish Representative peer and politician.

He was the son of Henry Maxwell, Lord Bishop of Meath, and grandson of John Maxwell, 1st Baron Farnham. He married on 4 July 1789 to Juliana Lucy Annesley, daughter of Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Mountnorris, 8th Viscount Valentia.

In 1788, Maxwell-Barry stood as Member of Parliament for Cavan County, however was declared not duly elected. He later represented Doneraile in the Irish House of Commons from 1792 to 1798, and subsequently Newtown Limavady until the Act of Union in 1801. He was appointed High Sheriff of Carlow for 1795-96 and Governor of co. Cavan for 1805 to 1831. He was also Colonel of the Cavan Militia between 1797 and 1823.

In the British House of Commons, he was Member of Parliament for Cavan from 1806 to 1824. He was appointed a Privy Councillor in Ireland on the 7 July 1809. On the death of his first cousin, he succeeded at 5th Baron Farnham on 23 July 1823 and inherited the Farnham estate. He was elected a representative peer on 17 December 1825.

He died without issue and so the barony and estate passed to his brother Henry.