Everything about Robert Barton totally explained
Robert Childers Barton (; (
1881–
August 10,
1975) was a
Irish lawyer, statesman and farmer who participated in the negotiations leading up to the signature of the
Anglo-Irish Treaty. His father was Charles William Barton and his mother was Agnes Childers. His wife was
Rachel Warren of Boston, daughter of
Fiske Warren. His first cousin and close friend was
Robert Erskine Childers.
Early Life
He was born in
County Wicklow into a wealthy
Protestant land-owning family; namely of
Glendalough House, . Educated at
Rugby and
Oxford, he became an officer in the
Dublin Fusiliers on the outbreak of the
First World War. He was stationed in
Dublin during the 1916
Easter Rising and resigned his commission in protest at the heavy-handed
British suppression of the revolt. He then joined the
Republican movement
Politics
In the
1918 general election to the
British House of Commons he was elected as the
Sinn Féin member for
West Wicklow. Arrested in February 1919 for
sedition, he escaped from
Mountjoy Prison on
St. Patrick's Day (leaving a note to the governor explaining that, owing to the discomfort of his cell, the occupant felt compelled to leave, and requesting the governor to keep his luggage until he sent for it). He was recaptured in January 1920 and sentenced to three years' imprisonment, but was released under the general amnesty of July 1921.
He was appointed Minister for Agriculture of the
Irish Republic, then of Economic Affairs. Barton was one of the
Irish delegates, along with his
cousin, to travel to
London for the legendary
Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.,. He reluctantly signed the Treaty on
6 December,
1921, defending it "as the lesser of two outrages forced upon me and between which I'd to choose." He nevertheless was firmly committed to the Irish Republic and despite signing the Treaty rejected it.
He won election to
Dáil Éireann in June 1922, but didn't take his seat and left politics for the law, becoming a judge. He was chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation from 1934–1954. Barton died at home in County Wicklow on
August 10,
1975, at the age of 94, the last surviving signatory of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Éamon de Valera, who was also heavily involved with the Treaty, died only nineteen days later, on
August 29,
1975.
Glendalough House
Glendalough House, run by Barton for over 70 years right up until his death, is still considered one of
Ireland's most notable properties ; alongside nearby
Powerscourt_Estate. The house was the center of numerous political meetings and gatherings from 1910 to 1922. It's also been featured as a location in many large
Hollywood films including
Excalibur,
Saving Private Ryan and
Braveheart.
Barton's grandfather, Thomas Barton, also of Glendalough House, was the founder and owner of the award winning
Langoa & Barton vineyards in
France. Since 1836, the vineyards have been under the control of the Barton family.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Robert Barton'.
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