Joseph Leeson, 2nd Earl of Milltown

Joseph Leeson 2nd Earl of Milltown by Pompeo Batoni in 1751

Joseph Leeson, 2nd Earl of Milltown (1730 – 27 November 1801), styled Viscount Russborough between 1763 and 1783, was an Irish peer.

Life

Leeson was the son of Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown, by Cecilia, daughter of Francis Leigh, of Rathangan.[1] He had his portrait painted in 1751 in Italy and he is thought to have had an affair with Peg Plunkett who took his surname even though they never married.[2]

He was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Thomastown in 1757, a seat he held until 1761.[3] He became known by the courtesy title Viscount Russborough when his father was elevated to an earldom in 1763. In 1783 he succeeded in the earldom and took his seat in the Irish House of Lords.

Lord Milltown died in November 1801 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Brice.

References

Parliament of Ireland
Preceded by
Nicholas Aylward
Redmond Morres
Member of Parliament for Thomastown
1757–1761
With: Redmond Morres
Succeeded by
Alexander McAuley
Thomas Eyre
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by
Joseph Leeson
Earl of Milltown
1783–1801
Succeeded by
Brice Leeson
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