Arthur Vicars

Sir Arthur Edward Vicars, KCVO (27 July 1862 – 14 April 1921), was a genealogist and heraldic expert. He was appointed Ulster King of Arms in 1893, but was removed from the post in 1908 following the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in the previous year. He was murdered by the IRA in 1921 during the Irish War of Independence. Antiquarian and expert in heraldry Vicars was born on 27 July 1862 in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and was the youngest child of Colonel William Henry Vicars of the 61st Regiment of Foot and his wife Jane (originally Gun-Cunninghame). This was his mother's second marriage, the first being to Pierce O'Mahony by whom she had two sons. Arthur was very attached to his Irish half-brothers and spent much time at their residences. On completing his education at Magdalen College School, Oxford and Bromsgrove School he moved permanently to Ireland. He quickly developed an expertise in genealogical and heraldic matters and made several attempts to be employed by the Irish heraldic administration of Ulster King of Arms, even offering to work for no pay. In 1891, he was one of the founder members of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, and remained its honorary secretary until his death.