Richard J. Ussher

Richard John Ussher (6 April 1841 – 12 October 1913) was an Irish ornithologist and speleologist.

Early life and family Ussher was born at Cappagh House, Cappagh, County Waterford on 6 April 1841. His parents were Isabella (née Grant) and Richard Kiely Ussher (1778–1854). Isabella was Richard's second wife, and Ussher was their only child that survived infancy. His maternal grandfather was the governor of Upper Canada and later Carlisle, Col. Jasper Grant. From the age of twelve, Ussher attended Portarlington school in County Laois and then Chester. Following the death of his father and owing to his own delicate health, Ussher returned home to be tutored. He attended Trinity College Dublin but did not graduate due to poor health. He and his mother would winter in continental Europe.

He was High Sheriff of County Waterford in 1901.

Death and legacy He died on 12 October 1913 in Cappagh, and is buried in the family vault at Whitechurch. He donated his papers to the Royal Irish Academy.