Joseph Devonsher Jackson

Who was Joseph Devonsher Jackson?

Joseph Devonsher Jackson PC was an Irish Conservative MP in the United Kingdom Parliament and subsequently a Judge. He was the eldest son of Strettell Jackson of Peterborough, County Cork.

He attended Trinity College, Dublin, before being called to the Irish Bar. He was the Queen's Second Serjeant for Ireland. He held the office of Chairman of County Londonderry sessions, which he resigned to seek election to Parliament.

He was MP for Bandon in 1835-1841. On 10 November 1841 he was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland. He was also made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This preferment had the effect of vacating his Parliamentary seat.

Instead of seeking re-election in Bandon, Jackson stood for Dublin University. He represented that seat between 11 February 1842 and 9 September 1842. He was then appointed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 1842-1848. He resigned his Parliamentary seat by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds, so he could take up the judicial post.

Jackson was described as a "temperate" politician, but he was a reliable supporter of a Protestant monarchy, constitution and church as well as the union between Great Britain and Ireland.