Henry Joseph Monk Mason (15 July 1778 – 14 April 1858) was an Irish writer who, although not a native speaker, specialised in Irish-language activities.
He was born at Powerscourt, County Wicklow, the son of Lieutenant-colonel Henry Monck Mason of Kildare Street, Dublin, by his second wife, Jane, only daughter of Bartholomew Mosse, M.D.
[1] At college he was contemporary with Thomas Moore the poet, and afterwards met him during visits to Kilkenny.
He acted as its secretary for many years, besides writing several tracts in furtherance of its objectives.
In 1851 Mason resigned the librarianship of King's Inns, and gave up his house in Henrietta Street, Dublin, to spend the remainder of his days at Bray, County Wicklow.
He was a good musician; he composed several pretty airs, and was a fair violoncellist.