John Wilson Croker (1780 1857), politician and writer, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied for the bar before moving to London. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Secretary for Ireland when Sir Arthur Wellesley took command of the Army in Portugal, and subsequently became Secretary to the Admiralty, an important role in wartime. He was noted for his efficiency and honesty, and held the post until 1830, despite changes of government. He was a prolific letter-writer, on both professional and personal matters, and almost all his correspondents were men of importance in their field. This three-volume edition of his papers was published in 1884. Volume 1 covers Croker's early life and career until 1828. He had many friends, although as a harsh literary critic he also made enemies. He gives amusing anecdotes of Regency society and royalty, but suffered personal tragedy with the death of his son.

John Wilson Croker (1780 1857), politician and writer, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied for the bar before moving to London. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Secretary for Ireland when Sir Arthur Wellesley took command of the Army in Portugal, and subsequently became Secretary to the Admiralty, an important role in wartime. He was noted for his efficiency and honesty, and held the post until 1830, despite changes of government. He was a prolific letter-writer, on both professional and personal matters, and almost all his correspondents were men of importance in their field. This three-volume edition of his papers was published in 1884. Volume 2 covers the period 1829 42. Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform dominated the political agenda in the earlier years, while the years 1841 2 were notable for the cause c l bre regarding the marquess of Hertford's will, which, perhaps unfairly, damaged Croker's reputation.

John Wilson Croker (1780 1857), politician and writer, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied for the bar before moving to London. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Secretary for Ireland when Sir Arthur Wellesley took command of the Army in Portugal, and subsequently became Secretary to the Admiralty, an important role in wartime. He was noted for his efficiency and honesty, and held the post until 1830, despite changes of government. He was a prolific letter-writer, on both professional and personal matters, and almost all his correspondents were men of importance in their field. This three-volume edition of his papers was published in 1884. Volume 3 covers the period from 1843 until Croker's death. It includes the Corn Law debates, the Irish Famine, and correspondence with the Duke of Wellington. Croker remained an active literary critic for the Quarterly Review, which made him enemies who damaged his posthumous reputation.