WARE (Sir James), in Latin Wareus, a celebrated antiquarian and historian, was the son of Sir James Ware, and was born at Dublin on the 26th of November 1604. He was educated at Trinity college in
that city, where he made an uncommon proficiency. He afterwards received the honour of knighthood, and upon the death of his father enjoyed his post of auditor-general of Ireland. In 1639 he was made one of the privy-council of that kingdom; and when the rebellion broke out there, suffered much in his estate. In 1644 the marquis of Ormond, who enjoyed the post of lord-lieutenant, sent him with two lords to Charles I. who was then in Oxford, about some important affairs, which were concluded to their satisfaction; but in their return they were taken by a parliament ship, and committed prisoners to the Tower of London, where he was detained 11 months. He was afterwards forced to retire to France, where he staid a year and a half. Then coming to England, he settled in London, where he composed several of his works. Upon the restoration he returned to Ireland, and was restored to his places of auditor-general and privy-councillor. He wrote in Latin, Annals of the reigns of Henry VI. Henry VIII. Edward VI. and Mary; a Treatise on the Writers of Ireland; and many other works. He died at Dublin in 1666.