John FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare

John FitzThomas FitzGerald (c. 1250–1316), fourth Lord of Offaly and first Earl of Kildare, was an Anglo-Norman magnate. In 1291 he accused Justiciar William de Vesci of oppression before Edward I; when de Vesci fled trial, the king granted him Kildare.

In 1294–1295 he imprisoned Richard de Burgh, later marrying his heir Thomas to de Burgh's daughter. He fought in Edward I's Scottish wars and resisted Edward Bruce's invasion of 1315–16. Created earl on 14 May 1316, he died that September.