Thomas Joseph (Fitzgerald) FitzGerald (1888 - 1947)

Born 13 Feb 1888 in West Ham, Essex, Essex, United Kingdom

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Biography

Desmond (Fitzgerald) FitzGerald was born in West Ham, Essex, England.

Desmond (Fitzgerald) FitzGerald has Irish ancestors.

Desmond was a Roman Catholic.

Desmond (Fitzgerald) FitzGerald is Notable.

Thomas Joseph, son of Patrick and Mary Ann (née Scollard) Fitzgerald,^[1] was born on 13th February 1888^[1][2] at 62 Arthingworth Street,^[1] West Ham, Essex.^[2]

In the 1891 census Thomas (age 3) was the son of Patrick Fitzgerald in West Ham, Essex.^[3]

In the 1901 census Thomas (age 13) was the son of Patrick Fizgerald in West Ham, Essex.^[4]

In the 1911 census Thomas (age 23), Clerk Merchants, was the single son of Mary Ann Fitzgerald in Forest Gate, Essex.^[5]

When he began writing poetry and journalism he adopted the name "Desmond" as an allusion to his Geraldine heritage, and is thought to have begun capitalising the "G" in his surname for the self-same reason.^[1] Thus "Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald" was then known as "Desmond FitzGerald", a name which stuck with him until death, though his mother called him "Tommy" all her life.^[1]

FitzGerald served as a Sinn Féin, later Cumann na nGaedheal, Teachta Dála from 1919 to 1933, in the 1st through 8th Dálaí. He held the position of Director of Propaganda from 1919 to 1921, Minister for Publicity from 1921 to 1922, Minister for External Affairs from 1922 to 1927 and Minister for Defence from 1927 to 1932.^[6]

FitzGerald served as a Fine Gael Seanadóir from 1938 to 1943, in the 3rd Seanad.^[6]

Desmond passed away on 9th April 1947 and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Glasnevin, County Dublin.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} DIB: Murphy, William. FitzGerald, (Thomas Joseph) Desmond. Dictionary of Irish Biography (2009). https://www.dib.ie/biography/fitzgerald-thomas-joseph-desmond-a3136.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Birth Registration: "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008"
   citing Birth Registration, West Ham, Essex, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
   FamilySearch Record: 2XT4-KGQ (accessed 27 January 2023)
   Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald birth registered Jan-Feb-Mar 1888 in West Ham.
3. ↑ 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
   citing PRO RG 12, Essex county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: QLZF-F6Z (accessed 27 January 2023)
   FindMyPast Image
   Thomas Joseph Gerald (3) son in household of Patrick Fitz Gerald (60) in West Ham registration district in Essex, England. Born in Essex, England.
4. ↑ 1901 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1901"
   citing Forest Gate subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: X9NG-DSH (accessed 27 January 2023)
   FindMyPast Image
   Thomas Fizgerald (13), single son, in household of Patrick Fizgerald (65) in West Ham registration district in Essex, England. Born in Stratford.
5. ↑ 1911 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1911"
   citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: XWXT-JRL (accessed 27 January 2023)
   FindMyPast Image
   Thomas Fitzgerald (23), single son, Clerk Merchants, in household of Mary Ann Fitzgerald (64) in Forest Gate in West Ham registration district in Essex, England. Born in Stratford E.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Oireachtas: “Desmond FitzGerald.” TDs & Senators. Houses of the Oireachtas. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Desmond-FitzGerald.D.1919-01-21/.
7. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #70300807 (accessed 27 January 2023)
   Memorial page for Desmond FitzGerald (13 Feb 1888-9 Apr 1947), citing Glasnevin Cemetery, Glasnevin, County Dublin, Ireland (plot: ZC 66-67.5); Maintained by John (contributor 47032041).

See also:

• Wikidata: Item Q1200811, en:Wikipedia