Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Giffard, Ambrose Hardinge
GIFFARD, Sir AMBROSE HARDINGE (1771–1827), chief justice of Ceylon, eldest son of John Giffard (1745-1819), high sheriff of Dublin in 1794, accountant-general of customs in Dublin, and a prominent loyalist, was born at Dublin in 1771. His mother was Sarah, daughter of William Norton, esq., of Ballynaclash, co. Wexford. The Giffards were an ancient Devonshire family; but the grandfather of the chief justice, who was the disinherited grandson of John Giffard of Brightleigh, settled in Ireland. Giffard received his Christian names from his relative, Ambrose Hardinge. After studying for the law he was called to the bar of the Inner Temple, and was appointed chief justice of Ceylon in April 1819. Giffard's leisure was devoted to literature, and a selection of poems was published at Ceylon about 1822. Specimens are reproduced in the 'Traditions and Recollections' of the Rev. J. Polwhele. Owing to the eastern climate Giffard's health failed, and he was granted leave of absence, but he died on 30 April 1827, while on the homeward voyage, in the Lady Kennaway, East Indiaman. Before his death a knighthood was conferred upon Giffard, but the title was never gazetted. He married in 1808 Harriet, daughter of Lovell Pennell, esq., of Lyme Regis, and left five sons and five daughters. Admiral Sir George Giffard (1815–1888) was his third son.
[Gent. Mag. 1827; Burke's Peerage, s. v. 'Halsbury.']
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.134
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 290 | ii | 5-4 f.e. | Giffard, Sir Ambrose H.: for Norton read Morton |
| 291 | i | 2-3 | for his relative read his father's intimate friend |