When was William O'Brien born?
William O'Brien (actor)
William O'Brien was probably born in County Clare in about 1740 to a family which claimed a distant connection to the Viscounts Clare. His father was a fencing master in Dublin David Garrick brought O'Brien over to London from Dublin in 1758 to join his actor's company at Drury Lane. O'Brien was successful in a number of roles, particularly Shakespeare and contemporary comedies. O'Brien was an actor in the company of He eloped with Lady Susannah "Susan" Fox-Strangways, eldest daughter of Stephen Fox, the first Earl of Ilchester, whom he had met when they both performed in amateur theatricals at Holland House. Their marriage, which took place on 7 April 1764 at St. Paul's Church, Covent Gardens, was disapproved of by Lady Susan's family.
William O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Inchiquin
William O'Brien was the son of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin and Elisabeth St. Leger, daughter of Sir William St. Leger and his first wife Gertrude de Vries of Dordrecht. He served under his father in various military activities in France and Spain but was captured with his father by the Turks in 1660 and imprisoned in Algiers until the English Parliament had paid a ransom of 7,500 dollars. He was a Privy Councillor from 1671 to 1685.