Edward Marcus Despard | |
|---|---|
 Attributed to George Romney | |
| Born | 1751 Coolrain, Camross, Queen's County (now Laois), Kingdom of Ireland |
| Died | 21 February 1803 (aged 51-52) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation(s) | Soldier, colonial administrator, revolutionary |
| Employer(s) | British Army, British Home Office |
| Movement | Society of United Irishmen, London Corresponding Society |
| Criminal charge | High treason |
| Criminal penalty | Death by hanging followed by beheading |
Edward Marcus Despard (1751 – 21 February 1803), an Irish officer in the service of the British Crown, gained notoriety as a colonial administrator for refusing to recognise racial distinctions in law and, following his recall to London, as a republican conspirator. Despard's associations with the London Corresponding Society, the United Irishmen and United Britons led to his trial and execution in 1803 as the alleged ringleader of a plot to assassinate the King.