John Beresford, Unionist Politician, Is Born in Cork

John de la Poer Beresford, PC, PC (Ire) (14 March 1738 – 5 November 1805) was an Anglo-Irish statesman.

Beresford was a younger son of Sir Marcus Beresford, who, having married Catherine, sole heiress of James Power, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, was created Earl of Tyrone in 1746. After the death of the earl in 1763, Beresford’s mother successfully asserted her claim suo jure to the barony of La Poer. John Beresford thus inherited powerful family connections. He was educated at Kilkenny College, Trinity College Dublin and was called to the Irish bar.

Beresford entered the Irish House of Commons as member for County Waterford in 1761. In 1768, 1783, 1789 and finally in 1798, he stood also for Coleraine, however choosing each time to sit for County Waterford.