Thomas Elrington (bishop)

Thomas Elrington (1760–1835) was Provost of Trinity College, Dublin from 1811 to 1820,Bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe from 1820 to 1822, and Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin from then until his death in Liverpool on 12 July 1835.

The only child of Richard and Catherine Elrington of Dublin, he was born near that city on 18 December 1760, He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 1 May 1775 as a pensioner, under the tutorship of the Rev. Dr. Drought, and was elected a Scholar in 1778. He graduated B.A. in 1780, M.A. in 1785, and B.D. and D.D. in 1795. In 1781 he was elected a fellow of his college. In 1794 he was the first to hold the office of Donnellan divinity lecturer in Dublin. In 1795 he was appointed Archbishop King's lecturer in divinity. and succeeded to a senior fellowship. In 1799 he exchanged Erasmus Smith's professorship of mathematics for that of natural philosophy.

On resigning his fellowship in 1806 Elrinton was presented by his college to the rectory of Ardtrea, in the diocese of Armagh, which he held until December 1811. He resigned, having been appointed to the provostship of Trinity College. During his tenure of this office he was the acting manager of almost every public board, and a supporter of charitable institutions.

Elrington was advanced on 25 September 1820 to the bishopric of Limerick, and on 21 December 1822 he was translated to Leighlin and Ferns. While on his way to attend Parliament duties in London he died of paralysis at Liverpool on 12 July 1835, He was buried under the chapel of Trinity College, Dublin, in which there was a monument with a Latin inscription to his memory. Another monument was erected by his clergy in the cathedral church of Ferns. Elrington was an active member of the Royal Irish Academy, and of other literary and scientific societies. The Elrington theological essay prize was instituted in Trinity College in 1837.

A portrait of the bishop was painted in 1820 for his brother, Major Elrington, by Thomas Foster; engraved by William Ward, it was published in 1836 by Graves & Co. There was a marble bust in the library of Trinity College.

...
Wikipedia