Franc Sadleir

Franc Sadleir [formerly Francis] (13 June 1775 – 11 May 1851) was an Irish academic who served as the 28th Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 1837 to 1851.

Early life and education Sadleir was the youngest son of Thomas Sadleir, barrister, by his first wife, Rebecca, eldest daughter of William Woodward of Clough Prior, County Tipperary. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin, where he was elected a Scholar in 1794 and a fellow in 1805. He graduated B.A. 1795, M.A. 1805, B.D. and D.D. 1813.

Academic career In 1816, 1817, and 1823 he was Donnellan lecturer at his college; from 1825 to 1835 Erasmus Smith's Professor of Mathematics, and from 1833 to 1838 Regius Professor of Greek.

In politics, he was a Whig and an advocate of Catholic emancipation. With the Duke of Leinster, the archbishop of Dublin, and others, he was one of the first commissioners to administer funds for the education of the poor in Ireland in 1831.

Later and personal life Sadleir died at Castle Knock Glebe, County Dublin, on 14 December 1851 and was buried in the vaults of Trinity College on 18 December. He married Letitia, daughter of Joseph Grave of Ballycommon, King's County, by whom he left five children. There is a portrait of Sadleir in the Provost's House, Trinity College Dublin.

Publications Sadleir published Sermons and Lectures preached in the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin, 1821–4, 3 vols.; and National Schools for Ireland defended in a Letter to Dr. Thorpe, 1835.