Walker, GEORGE, the heroic defender of Londonderry, was born of English parents in County Tyrone in the early part of the 17th century, had his education at the university of
Glasgow, took orders, and became rector of Donoughmore. When the Irish army of James II. approached Londonderry, the walls of which were untrustworthy, while the governor (Lundy) was a traitor, and the bishop (Hopkins) a timid advocate of passive obedience, the famous thirteen prentice-boys closed the city gates (18th December 1688), and the aged Walker by his fiery harangues stirred up the townspeople to make a desperate defence, the most memorable in British history. The actual siege began in April, and lasted till the 12th August 1689 (o.s.), a period of 105 days. The starving citizens were sustained to the last by the rousing sermons preached by Walker in the cathedral, and his heroic example at the head of sallies against the enemy. When the siege was raised Walker went to London, was warmly received at court, thanked by the House of Commons, created D.D. by Oxford, and Bishop of Derry by the king. But Walker was too impatient to settle quietly in his bishopric; he headed the men of Derry at the battle of the Boyne, and there perished. A lofty Doric column bearing a colossal statue of Walker stands on the walls at Londonderry.