William St Lawrence, 14th Baron Howth

William St Lawrence, 14th Baron Howth (1688 – 4 April 1748) was an Irish peer and politician, who enjoyed the friendship of Jonathan Swift.

Early life He was the eldest of the five sons of Thomas St Lawrence, 13th Baron Howth and his wife Mary Barnewall, daughter of Henry, 2nd Viscount Barnewall of Kingsland and his second wife Lady Mary Nugent. He lived for part of each year in Howth Castle, but also spent much of his time at Kilfane House near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, where he could indulge his passion for sport.

He sat in the Irish House of Commons as MP for Ratoath between 1716 and 1727. He was regarded as a man of shrewd political judgement, and became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland in 1739.

Scandal Scandal and tragedy visited the St Lawrence family in 1736. While the Howths were in residence at Kilfane, a cousin, Miss Barford and her friend Miss Hawley who were staying with them, were killed in a carriage accident. St Lawrence challenged Gorges to a duel in which Gorges killed him. Gorges was tried for murder but acquitted.

Character Elrington Ball describes William as a man of considerable gifts, keen insight and a humorous disposition, but far too fond of his own pleasure. He was a keen sportsman and a heavy drinker. At the same time he took a strong interest in improving agriculture, and as his last will shows, was notably charitable to the poor.