Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle (1790-7 February 1866), English statesman, son of S. E. Rice and Catherine Spring, came of a Limerick family, whose ancestor was Sir Stephen Rice (1637-1715), chief baron of the Irish exchequer and a leading Jacobite. In 1820 he became Whig member for Limerick (from 1832 member for Cambridge); and after holding minor offices became Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in 1834 and in 1835-1839 Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was disappointed in not obtaining the speakership, but in 1839 was created Baron Monteagle of Brandon (a title intended earlier for his ancestor Sir Stephen Rice), and made Controller of the Exchequer. He differed from the government as regards the exchequer control over the treasury, and the abolition of the old exchequer was already determined upon when he died.

A monument still stands today in the People's Park in Limerick, in honour of Rice, who was well regarded locally. His statue adorns a tall column at the centre of this highly architectural public park.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.