Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Arran

Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Arran, Baron Butler of Cloughgrenan, Viscount Tullough (15 July 1639 – 25 January 1685/1686) was an Irish peer, the fourth son of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde.

Life

He was created Baron Butler of Cloughgrennan, Viscount Tulloogh and Earl of Arran (having purchased the Aran islands) in May 1662 in the Peerage of Ireland In 1673, as a reward for his bravery in the sea fights against the Dutch, he was created Baron Butler of Weston in the Peerage of England. In 1680, when the Catholic nobleman William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford was tried for high treason in the bogus Popish Plot, Arran was one of 31 peers who voted Stafford not guilty. As the most junior English peer, Arran was the first to cast his vote; his vote of 'not guilty' took some courage, given the prevailing hysteria whipped up against anyone who cast doubt on the veracity of the supposed Plot. However, 55 peers voted Stafford guilty.

Arran was made Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1682 to 1684, whilst his father, the Duke of Ormonde (who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), was in London. During this period Arran showed courage and initiative in leading the attempt to extinguish a major fire in Dublin Castle. Arran died of pleurisy in London in January 1686.

His first, childless, marriage was to Mary (1651–1668) daughter of James Stuart, 1st Duke of Richmond. His second marriage was to Dorothy (–1716), daughter of John Ferrers of Tamworth Castle and Anne, daughter of Sir Dudley Carleton. They had four children:

• James Butler, Lord Tullogh (19 Feb 1674 – October 1676), died in infancy.
• Thomas Butler, Lord Tullogh (1675 – June 1681), died in infancy.
• Thomas Butler, Lord Tullogh (16 Mar 1681 – August 1685), died in infancy.
• Lady Charlotte Butler (1679 – 8 August 1725), his only surviving child and heiress; married Charles, 4th baron Cornwallis. Charlotte was the mother of the first Earl Cornwallis.

As the Earl died without surviving male issue, the titles became extinct. However, they were re-created in 1693 for his nephew Charles Butler, (who was also created Baron Butler of Cloughgrenan and Viscount Tullough).