The delighted father predicted a brilliant career for his cherished son, who was slated to go to Ireland as Chief Secretary to Fitzwilliam, the new Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Unfortunately, Richard Burke had fallen victim to the ravages of consumption, a fact which he had previously carefully concealed from his father. Burke did not know of his son's affliction until one week before Richard died on August 2, 1794. Although he survived his son almost three years, Burke was never again the same person, and his last years were plagued with sorrow and melancholy. Edmund Burke died on July 9, 1797.