Charles Clarke (judge) facts for kids
Charles Clarke (died 1750) was an English lawyer, judge, and politician. He held important roles in the legal system and served in the British Parliament.
Early Life and Education
Charles Clarke was born in Godmanchester, a town in Huntingdonshire, England. His father was Alured Clarke, and his mother was Ann. Ann's brother was Bishop Charles Trimnell, a well-known religious leader.
In 1719, Charles went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. His older brother, Alured Clarke, was a fellow at the college and helped him. Charles did not finish his degree at Cambridge. Instead, he started studying law at Lincoln's Inn in 1717. By 1723, he had completed his training and became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court.
A Career in Law and Politics
Charles Clarke became a very successful barrister. He even rebuilt his family home in Godmanchester. In 1731, he was chosen to be the recorder of Huntingdon. A recorder is a judge who presides over a local court.
His career also moved into politics. In 1739, he was elected to represent Huntingdonshire in the British Parliament. This meant he helped make laws for the country. In 1741, he was elected again, this time for Whitchurch in Hampshire.
In 1743, Charles Clarke was appointed a baron of the exchequer. This was a very important position as a judge in a high court that dealt with financial matters. At the same time, he also worked as a lawyer for the navy, known as counsel to the admiralty. He was also an auditor for Greenwich Hospital, which was a home for retired sailors.
Later Life and Legacy
Charles Clarke died on May 17, 1750, from a fever. It was a serious illness that affected many people at the time. He was buried in his hometown of Godmanchester.
Family Life
Charles Clarke was married twice. His first wife was Anne, whose father was Thomas Greene, the Bishop of Ely. They had a son named Thomas, who grew up to become a general in the British Army.
His second wife was Jane, the daughter of Major Mullins from Winchester. With Jane, Charles had four sons and two daughters. One of their sons, Sir Alured Clarke, later became the lieutenant-governor of Quebec in 1792. Charles Clarke's second wife, Jane, lived longer than he did.
