Curran
JOHN PHILPOT, an Irish advocate and orator; born in Newmarket, County Cork, in 1750. In 1783 he obtained a seat in the Irish Parliament as member for Kilbeggan. In debate, Curran, who was one of the few Liberal members then in the House, was usually charged with the duty of replying to opponents; for which important duty his ready speech and cutting retort admirably qualified him. In 1788, he was in favor of the formation of the Irish volunteers; and, in subsequent years, he was constant and eloquent in his appeals to government to adopt a different policy toward Ireland, as that which it was pursuing was likely to drive the people into rebellion. Government gave no heed, and the rebellion of 1798 was the consequence.
Curran had retired from Parliament before the Union, of which he was a warm opponent. He was appointed Master of CURRENT METER the Rolls in Ireland in 1806, an office he held till 1813, when he resigned. He died in London in 1817.