Anthony Cleasby
Encyclopedia
Sir Anthony Cleasby was a British judge.
.
Anthony was educated at Brook Green, Hammersmith, and then at Eton
, 1820–3; he abandoned an intention of entering the army, because of an illness in 1819 which rendered him lame for life. He matriculated from Trinity College, Cambridge
, in October 1823, was third wrangler and B.A. in 1827, fellow of his college 1828, and M.A. 1830. He was admitted a student of the Inner Temple
30 January 1827, and called to the bar there 10 June 1831, and then went the northern circuit.
He soon became known as a most accurate and careful junior; he was a master of the science of special pleading, and learned in all branches of the law. He was not, however, a successful nisi prius advocate, but obtained a large practice as a junior. His opinion was sought by commercial clients in patent cases, mercantile disputes, and real property cases.
In 1852 and again in 1859 he was an unsuccessful conservative candidate for East Surrey
. He had previously purchased an estate called Ledgers, six miles east of Croydon
. He was appointed a queen's counsel on 22 February 1861, and in the same year became a bencher of his inn. In February 1868 he contested the university of Cambridge
without success against Alexander Beresford Hope
.
Cleasby became a baron of the court of exchequer on 25 August 1868, was nominated a serjeant on the same day, admitted on 2 November, and on 9 December was knighted. As a judge he was so cautious and diffident that he won little popular applause. In the criminal courts he was never quite at home. The juries were puzzled by his extremely conscientious efforts to explain the whole law. In his written judgements, however, he spared no pains, and they were always thorough and exhaustive. He retired on a pension in October 1878; went to his country house, Penoyre, near Brecon
, which he had purchased after his elevation to the bench; and died on 6 October 1879.
He married, on 26 March 1836, Lucy Susan, youngest daughter of Walter Fawkes
of Farnley Hall, Yorkshire.
Life
Cleasby was the third son of Stephen Cleasby, a Russia broker, who carried on a prosperous business at 11 Union Court, Broad Street, in the city of London, and died at Craig House, Westmoreland, 31 August 1844; having married, 4 February 1797, at Stoke Newington, Mary, second daughter of George John of Penzance. His brother was the philologist Richard CleasbyRichard Cleasby
Richard Cleasby was an English philologist, author with Guðbrandur Vigfússon of the first Icelandic-English dictionary.-Life:He was eldest son of Stephen Cleasby, and brother of Anthony Cleasby, born on 30 November 1797...
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Anthony was educated at Brook Green, Hammersmith, and then at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, 1820–3; he abandoned an intention of entering the army, because of an illness in 1819 which rendered him lame for life. He matriculated from Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, in October 1823, was third wrangler and B.A. in 1827, fellow of his college 1828, and M.A. 1830. He was admitted a student of the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
30 January 1827, and called to the bar there 10 June 1831, and then went the northern circuit.
He soon became known as a most accurate and careful junior; he was a master of the science of special pleading, and learned in all branches of the law. He was not, however, a successful nisi prius advocate, but obtained a large practice as a junior. His opinion was sought by commercial clients in patent cases, mercantile disputes, and real property cases.
In 1852 and again in 1859 he was an unsuccessful conservative candidate for East Surrey
East Surrey (UK Parliament constituency)
East Surrey is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
. He had previously purchased an estate called Ledgers, six miles east of Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. He was appointed a queen's counsel on 22 February 1861, and in the same year became a bencher of his inn. In February 1868 he contested the university of Cambridge
Cambridge University (UK Parliament constituency)
Cambridge University was a university constituency electing two members to the British House of Commons, from 1603 to 1950.-Boundaries, Electorate and Election Systems:...
without success against Alexander Beresford Hope
Alexander Beresford Hope
Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope PC , known as Alexander Hope until 1854 Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope PC (25 January 1820 – 20 October 1887), known as Alexander Hope until 1854 Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope PC (25 January 1820 – 20 October 1887), known as...
.
Cleasby became a baron of the court of exchequer on 25 August 1868, was nominated a serjeant on the same day, admitted on 2 November, and on 9 December was knighted. As a judge he was so cautious and diffident that he won little popular applause. In the criminal courts he was never quite at home. The juries were puzzled by his extremely conscientious efforts to explain the whole law. In his written judgements, however, he spared no pains, and they were always thorough and exhaustive. He retired on a pension in October 1878; went to his country house, Penoyre, near Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, which he had purchased after his elevation to the bench; and died on 6 October 1879.
He married, on 26 March 1836, Lucy Susan, youngest daughter of Walter Fawkes
Walter Fawkes
Walter Ramsden Hawkesworth Fawkes was a Yorkshire landowner, writer and Member of Parliament for Yorkshire from 1806 to 1807.-Biography:...
of Farnley Hall, Yorkshire.