Harcourt Lees


The Reverend Sir Harcourt Lees was an Irish clergyman and political pamphleteer on behalf of Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. He is best known for his strongly worded pamphlets attacking Roman Catholicism.

Life

Harcourt Lees was the eldest son of Sir John Lees, Bt., by Mary, eldest daughter of Robert Cathcart of Glandusk, Ayrshire. He graduated B.A. at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1799, and proceeded M.A. in 1802. His father saw service in Germany under the Marquess of Granby, and had been private secretary to Lord Townshend during his administration of Ireland, where he was secretary to the post-office from 1784 until his death in 1811.
Sir Harcourt Lees took holy orders, and was preferred to the rectory and vicarage in the Parish of Killanny, a parish partially in County Monaghan and partially in County Louth. He was collated to the prebend of Fennor in the church of Cashel 21 November 1800, and to that of Tullycorbet in the church of Clogher in 1801. He resigned both stalls in July 1806. He died at Blackrock, near Dublin, on 7 March 1852.
Harcourt Lees succeeded his father as second Baronet in 1811. He married, in or about October 1812, Sophia, daughter of Colonel Lyster of Grange, County Roscommon, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. His fourth son was William Nassau Lees. Lees was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir John Lees, who died 19 June 1892, and whose eldest son, Harcourt James, was the fourth baronet.

Works

Lees published several pamphlets, chiefly in support of Protestant ascendency. They are distinguished by extreme animation of style.