Sir Richard Birnie (c. 1760 – 1832) was a Scottish police magistrate in London, who came to prominence for his involvement with the Cato Street Conspiracy.

Richard Birnie, 1819 engraving by William Say after James Green.

Life

He was a native of Banff, Aberdeenshire, born about 1760. After serving an apprenticeship to a saddler he came to London, and worked for the house of Macintosh & Co., in the Haymarket, saddlers and harness-makers to the royal family. In favour with the Prince of Wales, he was made foreman and eventually a partner in the business; he married the daughter of a wealthy baker.[1]

After his marriage Birnie rented a house in St Martin-in-the-Fields parish, and took part in parochial affairs. He established almshouses in Pratt Street, Camden Town. He also enrolled himself in the Royal Westminster Volunteers, in which he became a captain. At the request of the Duke of Northumberland he was placed in the commission of the peace, and began to frequent the Bow Street Magistrates' Court.[1]

In time Birnie was appointed police magistrate at Union Hall court[1] (which later became Southwark Police Court).[2] After a few years he was promoted to be a magistrate at Bow Street. In February 1820 he headed the police officers in the apprehension of the Cato Street conspirators.[1]

At the funeral of Queen Caroline in August 1821 Birnie took the initiative in reading the Riot Act, which Sir Robert Baker, the chief magistrate, refused to do.[1] Shortly afterwards Baker resigned; he had been criticised, for example by the Tory Harriet Arbuthnot for his soft line, in the violent circumstances where there had already been deaths.[3] Birnie was appointed to succeed him, and a knighthood was conferred on him in the September following.[1]

In 1823, Birnie refused to enforce the unpopular Poor rate in Acton, causing it to be reduced for some householders.[4]

Birnie retained throughout life the special favour of George IV. He died on 29 April 1832.[1]

Family

Birnie and his wife Louisa had a son Richard Birnie (1808–1888), a barrister and journalist, who emigrated to Australia in 1854.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Birnie, Richard" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 5. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. ↑ Sylvanus Urban (1845). Gentleman's Magazine. p. 307. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Jane Robins (2007). Rebel Queen. Pocket Books. p. 317. ISBN 9780743478267.
  4. ↑ "Acton: Local government Pages 30-32 A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7, Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden". British History Online. Victoria County History, 1982. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  5. ↑ Australian Dictionary of Biography, Birnie, Richard (1808–1888).
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Birnie, Richard". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

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