like and respect him. Politician He gave his support to Henry Grattan and the Whigs during the greater part of his parliamentary career. He was a strong supporter of the demand for an independent Irish Parliament, but later changed his stance. Yelverton's Act He played a crucial role in the reforms which are collectively called the Irish Constitution of 1782. In particular he sponsored the Act 21 and 22 of George III, An Act to regulate the manner of passing bills and to prevent delays in summoning of Parliaments- which was popularly known as "Yelverton's Act". This radically modified Poynings' Law of 1495 by which all legislation to be passed by the Irish Parliament had to be drafted by the Privy Council of Ireland, then sent to the English Privy Council for approval. Under Yelverton's Act, the role of the Irish Privy Council was abolished and legislation was commenced in the normal way in the Irish Parliament, which for the last 17 years of its existence enjoyed a wide measure of independence. Act of Union In his latter days he became identified with the court party and voted for the Act of Union 1800, for which his viscounty was a reward. For this he was never forgiven by many of his former friends. Sir Jonah Barrington, who continued to regard Yelverton with affection and respect, regretted that this action should have destroyed his reputation forever; but he argued that such a mistake of judgment was understandable in a man who lacked worldly wisdom, and despite his many good qualities, did not have a strong moral sense. He became a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1787. Family He had three sons and one daughter, and the title descended in the family. Children of Barry Yelverton and Mary Nugent: Hon. William Charles Yelverton, 2nd Viscount Avonmore (5 April 1762 – 28 November 1814) Hon. Barry Yelverton (22 November 1763 – June 1824) Hon. Walter Aglionby Yelverton (26 January 1772 – 3 June 1824), married 1791, Cecilia Yelverton Hon. Anna Maria Yelverton (28 September 1775 – 27 April 1865), married 1791, John Bingham, 1st Baron Clanmorris of Newbrook References ; Endnotes: Webb's Compendium; Ryan's Biographia Hibernica, ii. 640 Wills's Illustrious Irishmen, v. 237 Barrington's Historic Sketches, and Personal Sketches O'Flanagan's Irish Bar, pp. 52–63, and Lives of the Lord Chancellors of Ireland, vol. ii. passim Lord Ashbourne's Pitt; Curran's Life, by