Despard

Despard, EDWARD MARCUS, conspirator, was born in Queen's County, Ireland, in 1751, and at fifteen obtained an ensigncy. From 1772 till 1790 he did good service in the West Indies, both as a soldier and as superintendent of the new territory of Yucatan. He was then recalled on the most frivolous charges, which for two years were kept hanging over him ; nor, when they were dismissed, could he get the least compensation. His complaints brought him two years' imprisonment (1798-1800), on his release from which he engaged in a crackbrained conspiracy to assassinate the king and to seize the Tower and Bank of England. For this, with six of his associates, he was drawn on a hurdle, hanged, and beheaded, 21st February 1803. —His brother, JOHN DESPARD (1745-1829), British general, was present at twenty-four engagements, mostly during the American War of Independence.