The Right Honourable John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough, P.C.
- Born: 31 August 1781
- Died: 16 May 1847
Known as[]
- 1781-1793: The Hon. John Ponsonby
- 1793-1805: The Hon. John Ponsonby, commonly called Viscount Duncannon
- 1805-1806: The Hon. John Ponsonby, commonly called Viscount Duncannon, M.P.
- 1806-1810: The Hon. John Ponsonby, commonly called Viscount Duncannon
- 1810-1831: The Hon. John Ponsonby, commonly called Viscount Duncannon, M.P.
- 1831-1834: The Rt. Hon. John Ponsonby, commonly called Viscount Duncannon, M.P.
- 1834-1844: The Lord Duncannon, commonly called Viscount Duncannon, P.C.
- 1844-1847 The Earl of Bessborough, P.C.
Education[]
- Harrow School, 1790-1798
- Christ Church, Oxford, 1799-1802
Offices[]
- First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, 1831-1834, 1835-1841
- Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1834
- Lord Privy Seal, 1835-1840
- Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1846-1847
Lord Lieutenancies[]
- Lord Lieutenant of Carlow, 1831-1838
- Lord Lieutenant of Kilkenny, 1838-1847
Peerage Titles[]
New Creations[]
- Baron Duncannon, 1834
Inherited Titles[]
- Earl of Bessborough, Viscount Duncannon, Baron Bessborough, and Baron Ponsonby of Sysonby (Peerage of Ireland, 1844
Privy Council[]
- Privy Councillor, 1831
Parliamentary Seats[]
- Member of Parliament for Knaresborough, 1805-1806
- Member of Parliament for Higham Ferrers, 1810-1812
- Member of parliament for Malton, 1812-1826
- Member of Parliament for Kilkenny, 1826-1832
- Member of Parliament for Nottingham, 1832-1834
| Preceded by: The Viscount Melbourne |
Home Secretary 1834 |
Succeeded by: Henry Goulburn |