WALKER, GEORGE (c. 1618-1690), hero of the siege of Londonderry, son of George Walker, rector of Kilmore and chancellor of Armagh (d. 1677). In the Irish war of 1688, Walker, though in Holy Orders and advanced in years, raised a regiment and endeavoured to concert measures with Robert Lundy, the acting governor of Londonderry, for the defence of Dungannon who, however, ordered the abandonment of the place on March 14, 1689.
On the approach of the enemy (April 13) Walker hurried to Londonderry to inform Lundy, but was unable to convince him of his danger. He returned to his men at Lifford, where, on the i4th, he took part in a brush with the enemy, afterwards follow ing the retreat of the army to Londonderry. The town was in great confusion, and Walker found the gates shut against him and his regiment. He was forced to pass the night outside, and only entered the next day "with much difficulty and some violence upon the Centry." Immediately on his arrival he urged Lundy to take the field and refused the demand to disband his own soldiers. On the 17th of April Lundy determined to give up the town to James, and called a council from which Walker and others were especially excluded ; but the next day the king and his troops, who had advanced to receive the surrender, were fired upon from the walls contrary to Lundy's orders, and the arrival of Captain Adam Murray with a troop of horse saved the situation. Lundy
was deprived, and allowed to escape in disguise. On April 19 Walker and Baker were chosen joint-governors. Walker com manded fifteen companies, amounting to goo men, and to him was also entrusted the supervision of the commissariat. He showed great energy, courage and resource throughout the siege, and led several successful sallies. At the close of the siege, which lasted 150 days, the town was at the last extremity; but at length, on July 3o, Walker preached the last of the sermons by which he had helped to inspire its defence. An hour afterwards the ships were seen approaching, and the town was relieved.
Walker was received by William and Mary at Hampton court on Aug. 9, and presented with is,000, part of which he appears to have given to Baker's widow. He was nominated to the bishop ric of Londonderry, but was shot at the Boyne (July 1, 169o).
While in London Walker had published A True Account of the Siege of Londonderry (1689) , dedicated to the king, which went through several editions and was translated for perusal abroad.
In the Siege of Derry (1893) the Rev. Philip Dwyer has collected the most essential facts and materials relating to Walker and the siege, and has reprinted in his volume Walker's True Account and Vindication, together with Walker's sermons, various other documents and valuable notes.