Ralph Bernal Osborne
Ralph Bernal Osborne


Royal NavyPersonnel

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Ralph Bernal Osborne 
Born as Ralph Bernal, elder son of Ralph Bernal (M.P., died 1854).
 
Date (from)(Date to)Event
26 March 1808 Born.
1831 Ensign of the 71st regiment, later 7th Royal Fusiliers.
18411847M.P. (Liberal) for Chipping Wycombe.
1841 Left army as Captain.
20 August 1844 Married Catherine Isabella, heiress of Sir Thomas Osborne, and assumed her name.
18471857M.P. for Middlesex.
6 January 18539 March 1858First Secretary of the Admiralty.
1857April 1859M.P. for Dover (until defeated).
August 1859July 1865M.P. for Liskeard (Cornwall).
April 1866November 1868M.P. for Nottingham.
18701874M.P. for Waterford (until he retired).
18?? Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for Waterford.
4 January 1882 Died.
According to the DNB 'Bernal Osborne was for many years one of the recognised wits of politics. His speeches at Westminster abounded in telling hits, and were eagerly welcomed by houses crowded with an audience impatient to hear him. On the hustings he was one of the most effective speakers of his age. Biographical and historical anecdotes he revelled in and freely used in his political addresses. His failure to reach those positions which his talents justified was due to his want of official industry and to the absence of that sobriety of judgment which is dear to the average Englishman.'.
Literature: (DNB; Stenton).


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