Nicholas Bourke
Anglo-Irish planter in Jamaica (died 1771)
About Nicholas Bourke
Nicholas Bourke (died 11 December 1771) was an Anglo-Irish planter in Jamaica who emigrated to the island around 1740 and acquired significant land-holdings there. He was prominent in the House of Assembly of Jamaica from the later 1750s and speaker in 1770.
Bourke argued in favour of the rights of Assemblymen of Jamaica during a dispute with the governor, William Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton, over who should finance the defence of the colony. Eventually, Bourke won his argument that the British government should bear the cost of defence, and Lyttelton was recalled.
Bourke is thought to have been the author of a pamphlet, The Privileges of the Island of Jamaica Vindicated, that was published in Kingston in 1765 and in London in 1766.
Bourke died in Jamaica on 11 December 1771.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Frequently asked questions
Who was Nicholas Bourke?
Anglo-Irish planter in Jamaica (died 1771)
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nicholas Bourke. https://biography.guide/nicholas-bourke/
MLA: "Nicholas Bourke." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nicholas-bourke/.
Chicago: "Nicholas Bourke." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nicholas-bourke/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:03 UTC