Aedanus Burke

Burke, Aedanus, an American revolutionary statesman, was born in Galway in 1743. Educated at St. Omer's for the priesthood, he afterwards studied law, and went to America, where he entered enthusiastically into the War of Independence. In 1778 he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. When Charleston was taken by the British in 1780, he took a commission in the army; but resumed judicial office when the State was re-organized by the Americans in 1782. He opposed the Federal Constitution, through fear of consolidated power; but served as first United States Senator from South Carolina under that instrument. He wrote a pamphlet against the aristocratic features of the Society of the Cincinnati, which was subsequently translated by Mirabeau, and used by him with effect during the French Revolution. Judge Burke was noted for his wit and eccentricity, and was somewhat addicted to convivial habits. He died at Charleston, South Carolina, 30th March 1802, aged about 59.

Sources

37a. Biographical Dictionary—American Biography: Francis S. Drake. Boston, 1876.

40a. Biographical Dictionary—Lossing's Field-book of the American Revolution. 2 vols, 1852.