Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/383

. . . 379 r. - " " " ' DUDLEY Loftus, A NAME that would reflect honour o n any age o r nation, was a very learned oriental scholar. He was the second son o f Sir Adam Loftus, and great grandson o f Dr. Adam Loftus, who was archbishop o f Armagh, then o f Dublin, and one o f the lords justices and lord chancellor o f Ire land. He was born i n the year 1618, a t Rathfarnam, near Dublin, and was educated i n Trinity College, where h e was admitted a fellow commoner i n 1635. About the time h e took his first degree i n arts, the extraordinary proficiency h e had made i n languages attracted the notice o f Archbishop Usher, who earnestly advised his father t o send him t o Oxford, where h e might improve his oriental learning, a matter which that worthy prelate considered a s highly important i n the investigation o f the history and principles o f the Christian religion. Mr. Loftus was accordingly sent b y his father t o Oxford, and entered o f University college, where h e was incorporated B.A. i n November 1639. About this time he commenced the study o f the law, with a view t o take his bachelor's degree i n that faculty; but, a t the persuasion o f his friends i n Uni versity college, took his degree o f master o f arts i n 1641, and then returned t o Ireland at the moment the rebellion broke out. His father who was a t that time vice-trea surer, and one o f the privy council, procured a garrison t o b e placed i n his castle o f Rathfarnam, and gave the com mand o f i t t o his son Dudley, who displayed his skill and courage, b y defending the city from the incursions o f the inhabitants o f the neighbouring mountains. He was afterwards made one o f the masters i n chancery, vicar general o f Ireland, and judge o f the prerogative court and faculties, all which offices he held t o the time o f his death. He was also a doctor o f the civil law, and esteemed the most learned o f any o f his countrymen i n that faculty, Towards the latter, part o f his life, his talents and me." mory were very much impaired, and when about seventy six years o f age, h e married a second wife, but died the