Frederick Lucas, an English journalist, born in London, March 30, 1812, died at Staines, Middlesex, Oct. 23, 1855. His family belonged to the society of Friends. His education was commenced at a Friends' school in Darlington, and continued at the London university, where he remained three years. In 1835 he began the practice of law, in which he had good success. Four years later he entered the Roman Catholic church, and published a pamphlet entitled "Reasons for becoming a Roman Catholic," addressed to the society of Friends. It is a very clear and vigorous exposition of the motives which induced him to take so important a step. He founded at London the " Tablet," a newspaper since widely known as an advocate and exponent of Catholic views, and contributed to the "Dublin Review." In 1849 he transferred the "Tablet" to Dublin, and in 1852 was returned to parliament by the county of Meath. He maintained, against the judgment of the most influential members of the Irish Roman Catholic hierarchy, the right and duty of the Irish priests to take an active part in politics. In 1854 he went to Rome for the purpose of explaining his views on the subject to the pope in person; but his impaired health compelled him to return before a decision could be obtained.

During his brief parliamentary career he came to be considered as the leader of the Catholic party.