Cobbe family

The Cobbe heraldic swan, part of the family coat of arms.

The Cobbe family is an Irish landed family. The family has an ancient and eminent history^[1], and has produced many prominent Irish politicians, clergymen, writers, activists and soldiers, such as writer and social reformer Frances Power Cobbe, General Alexander Cobbe and Primate of Ireland Charles Cobbe, who established the Newbridge Estate outside Dublin in 1736. This remained the family home until 1985, after being acquired by Fingal County Council in a unique arrangement with the family, who continue to maintain it as a family home.

Through marriage the family was related to Indian nobility, and were closely involved in the East India Company.

Recently, the family has come to attention as being the possessors of the Cobbe portrait, claimed to be the sole remaining portrait of William Shakespeare painted from life, which has provoked considerable scholastic discussion.^[2]

Family Tree

• Charles Cobbe (1686–1765) Archbishop of Dublin
• Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904), writer, social reformer, and suffragist. Founded a number of animal advocacy groups, including the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) in 1898, and was a member of the executive council of the London National Society for Women's Suffrage.
• General Sir Alexander Cobbe VC GCB KCSI DSO (1870–1931), recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

See also

• Newbridge Estate
• Irish nobility

References

1. ^ "Shakespeares true love". The Guardian. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2002/apr/21/artsandhumanities.highereducation. Retrieved 2011-01-05. 
2. ^ Charlotte Higgins (2009-03-11). "To find the mind's construction in the face: The great Shakespeare debate". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/mar/11/shakespeare-cobbe-portrait. Retrieved 2011-01-17.