Archibald Hamilton Rowan was born in London and was educated at Westminster School and Queen's College, Cambridge. He went to live in Rathcoffey, County Kildare, in 1784 and joined the Volunteers. In 1790 he was a founder member of the Northern Whig Club, Belfast, and joined the United Irishmen in 1791. In 1794 he was tried for sedition and sentenced to two years' imprisonment, but fled to France, where he witnessed the atrocities of the Terror. While he was there he met Mary Wollstonecraft. In 1795 he went to America and was joined by Wolfe Tone and Napper Tandy. He was pardoned in 1803 and settled on his estate at Killyleagh Castle, County Down. He was a supporter of Catholic Emancipation.

Born:	1 May 1751
Died:	1 November 1834