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Patrick James Foley

1836 – 1914

British politician

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About Patrick James Foley

Lived 1836 – 1914 (aged 77–78). Patrick James Foley was a politician.

Patrick James Foley (1836 – 28 June 1914) was a successful financial entrepreneur and an Irish politician and Member of Parliament for Galway Connemara from 1885 to 1895.

Son of Patrick Foley, of Sligo, he was born in Leeds and educated at Catholic schools in Prescot and Leeds. In 1864 he founded the Pearl Life Assurance Loan and Investment Company Ltd, renamed the Pearl Life Assurance Company in 1874, and was later President. He was also chairman of the Industrial Assurances Protection Association and president of the National Amalgamated Approved Society founded in 1912.

He was elected unopposed as MP for Galway Connemara in 1885 and 1886. When the Irish Parliamentary Party split in December 1890 over the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell, Foley sided with the Anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation. At the 1892 general election he was challenged by a Parnellite, J. H. Joyce. However, he retained the seat easily, by 2,637 votes to 598.

Foley was secretary of the Irish National League of Great Britain.

He married, in 1862, a daughter of John Lawrence, of Liverpool.

There is a statue to Foley on the front of the Pearl Chambers building on the Headrow in Leeds.

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Important facts

Born
1836
Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Member of the 25th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 24th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 23rd Parliament of the United Kingdom

People in Patrick James Foley's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Patrick James Foley's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Patrick James Foley?

British politician

When was Patrick James Foley born?

Patrick James Foley was born in 1836.

When did Patrick James Foley die?

Patrick James Foley died on 28 June 1914.

What was Patrick James Foley's occupation?

Patrick James Foley was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Patrick James Foley

· Wikidata: Q7146834

· DBpedia: Patrick James Foley

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Patrick James Foley. https://biography.guide/patrick-james-foley/

MLA: "Patrick James Foley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/patrick-james-foley/.

Chicago: "Patrick James Foley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/patrick-james-foley/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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