Bourke, Richard

Richard was the eldest son of Robert Burke, 5th Earl of Mayo, and his wife Ann Charlotte, daughter of John Jocelyn. His younger brother Robert Bourke was also a successful politician. Richard graduated from Trinity College Dublin.

After a trip to Russia, he became a member of the House of Commons from Kildare in 1847, so he held his place for the next four years, then from 1852 to 1857 he represented Coleraine , and from 1857 to 1868 - Cockermouse . He was appointed Secretary General of Ireland three times in 1852, 1858 and 1856, and in 1869 he became the fourth Governor General of India . He strengthened the borders of India and reorganized the country's financial structure. He also did a lot to improve agriculture and rail transport. He founded Mayo College in Ajmer , focused on European culture, for young Indian leaders.

During a visit to the Port Blair settlement in the Andaman Islands for verification purposes, he was stabbed to death by Cher Ali, a Pashtun convict. His murder, as it turned out, was motivated only by a sense of injustice of his own conviction. Bourke's body was transported home and buried in a ruined medieval church in Johnstown , County Kildare near his home.

In 1873, the newly discovered new species of butterfly sailfish was named after the last count Papilio mayo. The traditional Irish march “Lord Mayo” (“Tiagharna Mhaighe-eo”) was also named after him. According to legend, he was performed by harper David Murphy to reassure Richard after he got angry with him.

On August 19, 1875, a monument to Lord Mayo was unveiled in Cockermouth in the center of the main street. The opening was attended by Richard's son, 7th Earl of Mayo, Dermont Bourke, British diplomat Francis Napier , Bishop of Carlisle Harvey Goodman and 3rd Earl of Lonsdale, Henry Lawther. A statue of Sicilian marble depicts the Lord in the vice-royal attire and still stands.

Lord Mayo married Blanche of Julia, daughter of 1st Baron Lekonfield, George Windham.