John Ireland Blackburne (1817–1893)
John Ireland Blackburne was a British army officer and Conservative politician.
Blackburne came from a political family: his father, also John Ireland Blackburne was Member of Parliament for Newton from 1807–1818 and Warrington from 1835–1847, his mother was Anne née Bamford, of Bamford, Lancashire. His grandfather was John Blackburne, also a member of the Commons. He sat for Lancashire from 1784 – 1831.
He was born at Hale Hall near Liverpool, the family home of the Ireland Blackburnes, and was educated at Eton College. He obtained a commission in the 5th Dragoon Guards and served with the regiment for 14 years, retiring with the rank of captain.
In 1874 he inherited his father's large land holdings, and was actively involved in the management of the estate until his death, when it was noted that he was popular with his tenants. In October 1875, Charles Turner, MP for South West Lancashire, died. Accordingly, a by-election was held to fill the vacancy. Blackburne was the only candidate nominated, and was thus elected unopposed on 5 November 1875.
Blackburne successfully defended his seat at the 1880 general election. The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 redistributed the two-seat South West Lancashire seat among seven new constituencies. Blackburne retired from parliament at the ensuing general election.
He was married twice. In 1846 he married Mary Hoghton, daughter of Sir Henry de Hoghton, Baronet. Following her death he married Emma Jemima Ravenscroft, widow of the 15th Viscount Hereford, who died in 1870.
Blackburne was a justice of the peace for the county palatine of Lancaster, and was appointed honorary colonel of the 4th Royal Lancashire Militia and subsequently of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, the Prince of Wales's Volunteers.
He died at his London residence after a long illness in September 1893, aged 77.
