Thomas Henry Burke (Irish politician)
| Thomas H. Burke | |
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| Born | 29 May 1829 |
| Died | 6 May 1882 (aged 52) |
| Occupation | Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office |
| Known for | Phoenix Park Murders |
Thomas Henry Burke (29 May 1829 – 6 May 1882) was Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office for many years before being killed during the Phoenix Park Murders on Saturday 6 May 1882. The killing was carried out by an Irish republican organisation called the Irish National Invincibles. The newly appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish, although not the intended victim, was assassinated alongside him while they walked through Phoenix Park in Dublin. The victims were stabbed in the neck and chest with surgical blades.
Thomas Burke was the Invincibles' intended target because he had been working for the British establishment as head of the Civil Service for many years and was associated with the British coercion policy during the Land War, 1879–82. Irish nationalists referred to Burke as the "Castle rat".
Thomas Henry Burke was one of six sons of William Burke of Knocknagur, Tuam, County Galway and Fanny Xavier Tucker. He was born in Waterslade House, Tuam. He was educated at Oscott College, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, and also in Belgium and Germany.
Burke’s family was descended from that of Sir Ulick Burke of Glinsk, County Galway, on whom Charles I conferred a baronetcy in 1628. One brother was Sir Theobald Hubert Burke, 13th Baronet of Glinsk, another brother was the artist Augustus Nicholas Burke.
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