Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse KP ( born November 17 1840 Birr Castle, Parsonstown, County Offaly; † August 30, 1908 ) was an Irish nobleman and astronomer. He was the son of William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse and inherited in 1867 and at his death the title of Earl of Rosse.

From 1868 until his death he was one of the elected representative peers of the Irish nobles in the House of Lords. Between 1892 and 1908 he served as Lord Lieutenant continue King's County. In both functions, his father had already been active.

Parsons was from 1885 to 1908 the 18th Rector of the University of Dublin. He married in 1870 Frances Cassandra Hawke, a daughter of Edward Harvey - Hawke, 4th Baron Hawke, on 1 September 1870 with whom he had three children. At his death the title passed to the eldest son William.