John Adolphus (1768–1845) was an English barrister and historian.
Life
Born 7 August 1768, he was of German background. His grandfather had been domestic physician to Frederick the Great, and wrote a French romance, Histoire des Diables Modernes. His father lived for a time in London supported by a wealthy uncle, who provided the son with education, and sent him at the age of fifteen to be placed in the office of his agent for some estates in St. Kitts. Adolphus returned to London after something over a year, and was articled to an attorney. He was admitted an attorney in 1790, but after a few years began to write.
The success of his history and the influence of Archdeacon William Coxe brought Adolphus into close connection with Henry Addington, then prime minister. Addington put him on a salary, for political services which included electioneering and pamphleteering. He entered the Inner Temple, and in 1807 he was called to the bar.
Family
In 1793 he married Miss Martha Elizabeth Leycester (1765–1842), daughter of Susanna née Hamner (1740–1805) and the Rev. Ralph Mort Leycester (1737–1803); a lady "of good family and little fortune". Their children were:
- Moses Joseph Adolphus (1790–?) who emigrated to the U.S.
- John Leycester Adolphus (1795–1862) was an English lawyer, jurist and author.
- Susanna Elizabeth Adolphus (1795–?), died young.
- Martha Emilia 'Emily' Adolphus (1798–1884) who married Andrew Henderson (1800–1868) in 1847.
After his death his daughter Emily wrote Recollections of the Public Career and Private Life of the Late John Adolphus The Eminent Barrister and Historian, with Extracts from His Diaries.
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