Charles Wolfe (poet)
| Charles Wolfe | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
14 December 1791 Blackhall, Co. Kildare |
| Died | 21 February 1823 (aged 31) Cobh, Co. Cork |
| Nationality | Irish |
Charles Wolfe (14 December 1791 – 21 February 1823) was an Irish poet, chiefly remembered for "The Burial of Sir John Moore after Corunna" which achieved popularity in 19th century poetry anthologies.
Born at Blackhall, County Kildare, the youngest son of Theobald Wolfe (1739-1799) of Blackhall and his wife (who was also his cousin) Frances (d.1811), daughter of the Rev. Peter Lombard (d.1752) of Clooncorrick Castle, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. His father was the godfather - but widely believed to be the natural father - of Theobald Wolfe Tone. He was a brother of Peter Wolfe (1776-1848), High Sheriff of Kildare; and, their father's first cousin was Arthur Wolfe, 1st Viscount Kilwarden.
Not long after he was born, his father died and the family moved to England. In 1801, Wolfe was sent to a school in Bath but was sent home a few months later due to his ill health. From 1802 to 1805, he was tutored by a Dr Evans in Salisbury before being sent to Hyde Abbey School, Winchester. He seems to have been exceedingly popular both at school and within his own family. In 1808, his family returned to Ireland, and the following year he was entered into Trinity College, Dublin, graduating in 1814. He had turned down the chance to read for a scholarship as he was in love with a girl and could not commit to celibacy as was then required.
He was ordained as a Church of Ireland priest in 1817, first taking the Curacy of Ballyclog in County Tyrone before transferring almost immediately to Donaghmore, County Tyrone. There he developed a close friendship and deep respect for the Rev. Thomas Meredith, Rector of nearby Ardtrea, and a former Fellow of Trinity College Dublin. Wolfe wrote two epitaphs for Meredith, one on his memorial in the parish church of Ardtrea, and another intended for his tomb, which can both be read within Meredith's entry.
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