Walker, George (1646-1690)

Irish clergyman and military commander. In 1688-89, Walker raised a regiment at Dungannon to garrison Londonderry for its successful resistance to the 105-day siege by James II's forces under the Earl of Tyrconnell. During the siege, he was joint governor of the city. He was killed while serving with William III's army at the Battle of the Boyne.

Born of English parents in County Tyrone, Walker studied at Glasgow University, and became rector of Lissan, County Derry (1669), and Donaghmore near Dungannon (1674). For his defence of Londonderry, he had degrees from Oxford and Cambridge conferred on him, and was nominated Bishop of Derry. He wrote A True Account of the Siege of Londonderry 1689, which was criticized by Presbyterians for ignoring their role in the city's defence.

The Walker Monument, erected in Londonderry in 1828 by the Protestant Apprentice Boys to commemorate the siege, was blown up by republicans in 1973.