Edmund Sexton Pery, 1st Viscount Pery (8 April 1719 – 24 February 1806) was an Anglo-Irish politician who served as the penultimate Speaker of the Irish House of Commons between 1771 and 1785. He was one of the most powerful and prominent political figures in Ireland during the second half of the 18th century. As an Irish Patriot, he was a leading voice for the legislative independence of the Parliament of Ireland from the British parliament at Westminster, and opposed the Acts of Union 1800. Away from politics, he was instrumental in the development of his home city of Limerick.
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Early life
He was born in Limerick, into one of the city's most politically influential families, the elder son of the Rev. Stackpole Pery and Jane (née Twigge). His maternal grandfather was William Twigg, Archdeacon of Limerick. His younger brother was the leading Church of Ireland clergyman, William Pery, who was ennobled as Baron Glentworth in 1790. His younger sister was Lucy Hartstonge, the founder of what is now St John's Hospital.
Pery was educated at Trinity College Dublin, before training in law at the Middle Temple in London from 1739. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1745. As a barrister, he quickly became well regarded in the legal profession and was noted for his careful and measured delivery during court proceedings.