John Gustavus Crosbie

John Gustavus Crosbie (circa 1749 – 6 July 1797) was an Anglo-Irish politician, mainly remembered for killing another Member of Parliament, SirBarry Denny, in a duel.

He lived at Tubrid House, Ardfert, County Kerry. He was the only son of Lancelot Crosbie (1723-1780), wholike his son was MP forKerry, and hissecond wife Mary Blennerhasset, daughterof Colonel John Blennerhasset and Jane Denny. JohnGustavus married his distantcousinCatherine Blennerhasset, daughter of William Blennerhassett and Catherine Johnson, in 1796; they had no children. After his death she remarried George Rowan.

Crosbie was a Colonel in the 22nd Foot. He was High Sheriff of Kerry in 1770.Heserved in the Irish House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Kerry between 1794 and his death in 1797.

InOctober 1794 he caused anotable scandal by killing thesitting MP for the Kerryconstituency,Sir Barry Denny, 2nd Baronet, in a duel. Crosbie had taken exception to certain remarks madeby Dennyduring therecent by-election, which he regarded as a breach of Denny's avowed position of neutrality between thevarious candidates,and issued a challenge.At the duelhetook carefulaimand shotSir Barry through thehead. As was the accepted practiceat the time the killing wastreatedasan affair of honour, although in law itcounted aspremeditated murder, and no action was taken against him.

His sudden deaththreeyears later, after fallingfrom his horse, was consideredto be suspicious, and there is a local traditionthat the Denny family poisonedhim, in revenge for his killing of Sir Barry. Whether the rumour was true or false,the killing undoubtedlyled toa bitter feud between the two families , which lasted for generations.