Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale
Encyclopedia
Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale KC, PC (18 June 1783 – 18 April 1851) was an English law reformer and Master of the Rolls
.
He was born on 18 June 1783 at Kirkby Lonsdale
, three years before his brother Edward Bickersteth. He graduated senior wrangler from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
in 1808 and after training as a physician like his father, he turned to law and was called to the Bar
in 1811.
He became a King's Counsel in 1827, and 1836 brought him membership of the Privy Council
, appointment as Master of the Rolls and a peerage, which he accepted on condition that he could concentrate on law reform and remain politically independent.
He was determined that the government should provide an adequate Public Record Office
and became known as the "father of record reform". As Master of the Rolls he was in effect Keeper of The Public Records. After the Public Records Act of 1838, he and his Deputy Keeper, Francis Palgrave
, the full-time working head of the office, started to organise the transfer of state papers from the Tower of London
, the chapter house
of Westminster Abbey
and elsewhere, to one single location.
He and his wife Lady Jane Elizabeth Harley, daughter of his patron the Earl of Oxford
, had one daughter.
In 1850 ill health forced him to turn down the chance to become Lord Chancellor
and he died the following year, on 18 April 1851, at Tunbridge Wells
.
Master of the Rolls
The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
.
He was born on 18 June 1783 at Kirkby Lonsdale
Kirkby Lonsdale
Kirkby Lonsdale is a small town and civil parish in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria, England, on the River Lune. Historically within Westmorland, it is situated south east of Kendal along the A65. The parish had a population of 1,771 recorded in the 2001 census.Notable buildings include St...
, three years before his brother Edward Bickersteth. He graduated senior wrangler from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Gonville and Caius College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The college is often referred to simply as "Caius" , after its second founder, John Keys, who fashionably latinised the spelling of his name after studying in Italy.- Outline :Gonville and...
in 1808 and after training as a physician like his father, he turned to law and was called to the Bar
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in 1811.
He became a King's Counsel in 1827, and 1836 brought him membership of the Privy Council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, appointment as Master of the Rolls and a peerage, which he accepted on condition that he could concentrate on law reform and remain politically independent.
He was determined that the government should provide an adequate Public Record Office
Public Record Office
The Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives...
and became known as the "father of record reform". As Master of the Rolls he was in effect Keeper of The Public Records. After the Public Records Act of 1838, he and his Deputy Keeper, Francis Palgrave
Francis Palgrave
Sir Francis Palgrave FRS, born Francis Ephraim Cohen, was an English historian.- Early life :He was born in London, the son of Meyer Cohen, a Jewish stockbroker by his wife Rachel Levien Cohen . He was initially articled as a clerk to a London solicitor's firm, and remained there as chief clerk...
, the full-time working head of the office, started to organise the transfer of state papers from the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, the chapter house
Chapter house
A chapter house or chapterhouse is a building or room attached to a cathedral or collegiate church in which meetings are held. They can also be found in medieval monasteries....
of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and elsewhere, to one single location.
He and his wife Lady Jane Elizabeth Harley, daughter of his patron the Earl of Oxford
Edward Harley, 5th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer
Edward Harley, 5th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer was an English nobleman.Harley was the son of John Harley...
, had one daughter.
In 1850 ill health forced him to turn down the chance to become Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
and he died the following year, on 18 April 1851, at Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
.