Thomas Denman, 1st Baron Denman, (23 July 177926 September 1854) was an English lawyer, judge and politician. He served as Lord Chief Justice between 1832 and 1850.

Background and education

Denman was born in London, the son of Thomas Denman. In his fourth year, he attended Palgrave Academy in Suffolk, where his education was supervised by Anna Laetitia Barbauld and her husband. He continued to Eton and St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1800. In 1806 he was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, and at once entered upon practice.

thumb|left|[[Portrait of Thomas Denman, 1832. Denman as Lord Chief Justice, by Sir Martin Archer Shee]]

His success was rapid, and in a few years he attained a position at the bar second only to that of Henry Brougham and James Scarlett. He distinguished himself by his defence of the Luddites; but his most brilliant appearance was as one of the counsel for Queen Caroline. His speech before the House of Lords was very powerful, and some competent judges even considered it not inferior to Brougham's. It contained one or two daring passages, which made the King his bitter enemy, and retarded his legal promotion.

Two years later he was made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench and was sworn of the Privy Council two days later. In 1834, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Denman, of Dovedale, in the County of Derby. As a judge he is best remembered for his decision in the important privilege case of Stockdale v. Hansard (9 Ad. & El. I.; II Ad. & El. 253).

Quote

Family

Lord Denman married Theodosia Anne, daughter of Reverend Richard Vevers, in 1804. His Derbyshire seat was Middleton Hall, Stoney Middleton. He died at Stoke Albany, Northamptonshire aged 75, and was succeeded in the barony by his oldest son Thomas. His daughter Theodosia (1806–1895) married Ichabod Wright. Frances married Robert Lambert Baynes. Margaret married Henry William, son of Zachary MacAulay. secondly, Edward Cropper, son of James Cropper. thirdly, John Owen, son of Sir Hugh Owen Owen, 2nd Baronet. Caroline married John George de la Poer Beresford, son of Sir John Beresford, 1st Baronet. Another son, Joseph, was a Royal Navy officer, while another, George, was an MP and High Court judge.

Cases

  • Williams v. Carwardine (1833) 4 B. & Ad. 621
  • Stockdale v. Hansard 9 Ad. & El. I.; II Ad. & El. 253
  • Lynch v. Nurdin 1 QB 29, (1841) Arn and H 158, (1841) 113 ER 1041
  • O'Connell v The Queen [1844] 11 Cl. & Fin. 155

References

Sources

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.