Arthur French, MP for Co. Roscommon, Dies of Excessive Fox-Hunting

Arthur French (1764 – 24 November 1820) was an Irish Whig politician.

He belonged to the long-established French family of Frenchpark, County Roscommon, who were substantial landowners who also made money in the wine trade. He was the eldest son of Arthur French MP and Alicia Magenis, daughter of Richard Magenis of Dublin and sister of Richard Magenis.

He married Margaret Costello, daughter of Edmond Costello of Edmondstown, County Mayo, and had nine children, including Arthur French, 1st Baron de Freyne, John, 2nd Baron and Charles, 3rd Baron.

In 1783, he was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) for Roscommon County in the Irish House of Commons. After the Act of Union in 1801 he represented Roscommon in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. He was alleged to have been offered an Earldom if he would support the Union of Ireland with Great Britain but refused the honour.

Later he also refused a Barony with no strings attached, although in time three of his sons would hold the title Baron de Freyne. The Crown was frequently irritated by French’s demands for offices and favours for his brothers and sons, although such behaviour was entirely typical of an Irish politician at the time.

A critic of the policy of collective fines as a deterrent to the illicit distillation of poteen, he incurred the wrath of Chief Secretary of Ireland Robert Peel who called him “an Abominable fellow”, but his enormous popularity in Roscommon meant that he could not be ignored. He also criticized the continuation of martial law in Ireland.

Fox Hunt

By 1817 he was complaining of ill health: he died on 24 November 1820. One report at the time states that he had died “from excessive fox hunting”.

Fox hunting, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, could be physically demanding and occasionally dangerous. Riders faced various risks during hunts, including falls from horses and injuries. The reference to Arthur French’s death attributed to excessive fox hunting aligns with historical accounts of the risks associated with this activity.

It’s worth noting that during this period, fox hunting was a popular and aristocratic pursuit in many parts of Europe, including the British Isles. The death of individuals involved in such activities was not uncommon.