Francis Turnly
About Francis Turnly
Lived 1766 – 1845 (aged 78–79).
Francis Turnly (born 1765/6, died 1845) was a landowner in Antrim who sought to improve the conditions for the people on the land he owned.
He was born in or around Newtownards, the son of Francis Turnly and Catherine Turnly, nee Black. Through his mother, he was related to the chemist, Joseph Black. He was also responsible for Turnly's Cut (1822), which eased passage around Garron Point.
The schools and the roads were part of his philanthropic goals, which included building Turnley's Tower in Cushendall, and making provision for its maintenance.
This eccentricity, and the large provision for philanthropic goals, led to his will being challenged after his death in 1845. Due to the provisions and the mental illness of his eldest son, the will was set aside
His great-great-grandson was John Turnley, the SDLP politician.
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Important facts
People in Francis Turnly's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Francis Turnly's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Francis Turnly?
(1766-1845)
When was Francis Turnly born?
Francis Turnly was born in 1766.
When did Francis Turnly die?
Francis Turnly died in 1845.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Francis Turnly. https://biography.guide/francis-turnly/
MLA: "Francis Turnly." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francis-turnly/.
Chicago: "Francis Turnly." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francis-turnly/.
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