What an unfortnate thing to happen to someone who had the potential to be a great politician.

An English politician who served in various capacities before being appointed to the position of Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, he was appointed to succeed him.

He was murdered by Irish nationalists, together with Thomas Burke, the Permanent Under Secretary, on the same day he took the oath of office. The event was known as the Phoenix Park Murders. Cavendish was supplementary to the real target, Burke, who was considered a traitor to Irish Nationalism.

The killers were caught and hanged. Charles Stewart Parnell made a speech condemning the murders in 1882. This increased his already huge popularity in both Britain and Ireland. He had just enabled some reforms under the Kilmainham Treaty four days before the murders. Parnell's reputation increased in Ireland, being seen as a more moderate reformer who would never excuse such tactics.