James McSparran QC (1 May 1892 – 15 April 1970), was an Irish barrister and nationalist politician.
McSparran was born in Glasgow to an Irish family He studied at St Mungo's Academy, Glasgow, then St Malachy's College in Belfast, Queen's University of Belfast, and the National University of Ireland.
McSparran was called to the Irish Bar in 1916, and later became a King's Counsel. He also had interests in the Irish News.
Political career
At the 1945 Northern Ireland general election, McSparran was elected for the Nationalist Party in Mourne: during his own campaign McSparran emphasised the need for northern nationalists to unite to help themselves, as well as promoting their aim to end partition.
He immediately became the Chairman of the Nationalist Party at Stormont, and was the founding Chairman of the Anti-Partition of Ireland League. In 1953, he became instead the President of the League, and in 1958, he stood down from Parliament and his position as Chairman of the Nationalist Party in order to concentrate on his legal career.
McSparran remained active as a barrister and supported the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association.
An avid Glasgow Celtic fan, he died in Hampden Park as he watched the European Cup semi-final between Glasgow Celtic and Leeds United.
Family life
McSparran had, through his Antrim roots, deep connections with many prominent Catholic families with clerical links and business interests. His brothers included Canon John McSparran, a senior priest of the Diocese of Down and Connor and Dr. Daniel McSparran, Chairman of The Irish News newspaper and Chair of Belfast Celtic.
His son, James D. McSparran KC also practised at the Northern Ireland Bar.
References
- "Dictionary of Ulster Biography". Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
- ^ "Northern Ireland Parliament Elections Results: Biographies". Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
- Michael Farrell, Northern Ireland: The Orange State
- ^ "Dictionary of Irish Biography - Cambridge University Press". dib.cambridge.org. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- 28–31 October, 1968 Archived 16 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Queen's University of Belfast Historical Documents Project
- https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19640918/023/0002. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - "My memories of the late James McSparran QC - Eamonn Mallie". Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
| Parliament of Northern Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byGeorge Panter | Member of Parliament for Mourne 1945–1958 |
Succeeded byJames O'Reilly |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byThomas Joseph Campbell | Leader of the Nationalist Party at Stormont 1945–1958 |
Succeeded byJoe Stewart |
| New political party | Chairman of the Irish Anti-Partition League 1945–1953 |
Succeeded byEddie McAteer |
| Leaders of the Nationalist Party | |
|---|---|
| Home Rule League |
|
| Irish National League |
|
| Irish National Federation |
|
| Irish Parliamentary Party |
|
| Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland) |
|
- 1892 births
- 1970 deaths
- Irish barristers
- Leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland
- Members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland 1945–1949
- Members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland 1949–1953
- Members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland 1953–1958
- Nationalist Party (Ireland) members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland
- People educated at St Mungo's Academy
- Politicians from Glasgow
- Scottish people of Irish descent
- Alumni of Queen's University Belfast
- British King's Counsel
- Members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland for County Down constituencies