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John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham

1760 – 1823

Irish politician

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About John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham

Lived 1760 – 1823 (aged 63). John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham was a British politician.

John James Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham (5 February 1759 – 23 July 1823 ) was an Irish representative peer and politician.

He was the son of Barry Maxwell, 1st Earl of Farnham and Margaret King. He was known as Shane Rua due to his striking head of red hair. In 1784, he married Grace Cuffe, daughter of Thomas Cuffe, however, they had no children. He succeeded as 2nd Earl of Farnham, 2nd Viscount Farnham and 4th Baron Farnham on 17 October 1800, also inheriting the Farnham estate in Cavan. He commissioned Francis Johnston, a Dublin-based architect, to design an extension to Farnham House.

Maxwell sat as a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Cavan from 1780 until 1783 and again from 1793 until 1800. He was elected an Irish representative peer on 3 March 1816. On his death in 1823, the Earldom and the Viscountcy became extinct, whilst the Barony and the Farnham estate passed to his cousin John Maxwell-Barry

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Ireland, Member of the House of Lords
Also known as
John Maxwell, John James Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham

People in John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham?

Irish politician

When was John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham born?

John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham was born on 5 February 1760.

When did John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham die?

John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham died on 23 July 1823.

What was John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham's occupation?

John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham was a politician.

What nationality was John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham?

John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham

· Wikidata: Q6247260

· DBpedia: John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham. https://biography.guide/john-maxwell-2nd-earl-of-farnham/

MLA: "John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-maxwell-2nd-earl-of-farnham/.

Chicago: "John Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-maxwell-2nd-earl-of-farnham/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-28 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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