William Saurin was born in Belfast and was educated at Dubourdieu's school in Lisburn, County Antrim, Trinity College, Dublin, and Lincoln's Inn, London. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1780, was Member of Parliament for Blessington, and opposed the Union. In 1807 he was appointed Attorney General for Ireland, remaining in that post for fifteen years, during which he became noted for his bitter opposition to Catholic Emancipation. When he was replaced in 1822, he refused both a peerage and judgeship and returned to practice at the Bar.

Born:	13 July 1757
Died:	11 January 1839