Edward Bearcroft facts for kids
Edward Bearcroft, a respected lawyer and judge, was born on April 30, 1737. He was also a politician in England. He held the title of KC, which meant he was a very important lawyer for the King. He passed away on November 20, 1796.
Early Life and Education
Edward Bearcroft was born on April 30, 1737. He was the second son of Reverend Philip Bearcroft, who was a preacher and later the Master of the Charterhouse. Edward went to Charterhouse School until 1752. After that, he studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge. In 1754, he began studying law at the Inner Temple. He officially became a lawyer on November 24, 1758.
His Work as a Lawyer and Judge
Edward Bearcroft became a very successful lawyer. In 1765, he was appointed as a lawyer and financial manager for the Charterhouse governors. He became a King's Counsel on July 24, 1772. This was a special title for top lawyers.
He was involved in several important legal cases. For example, he was a defense lawyer in a case in 1778. He also worked as a prosecutor in a case in 1784. In 1788, he was made Chief Justice of Chester. This meant he was the main judge in that area. He kept this job even though he became increasingly deaf. He continued to serve until his death. In 1794, he was part of the legal team for the Crown in some major trials.
His Time in Politics
Edward Bearcroft tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Worcester in 1774 but did not win. However, he was elected as an MP for Hindon in 1784. Later, he was offered a seat for Saltash and was elected there in 1790. He remained an MP for Saltash until he died.
In Parliament, he supported the government led by William Pitt the Younger. He spoke on various topics. For instance, he discussed the role of juries in certain legal cases. He also spoke about protecting private property. In 1795, he asked William Pitt to help his second son, Philip, get a job in the military. This request was granted. Edward Bearcroft was re-elected in 1796 but passed away on November 20, 1796, in Northampton.
His Family
Edward Bearcroft was married three times. His first wife was Sarah Maria Molesworth. They married on October 31, 1758. She passed away in 1759, leaving one son named Edward.
He then married Elizabeth Rogers. She passed away in 1774. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, and one son, Philip.
His third marriage was to Clare St George Wilson on December 21, 1778. They had two sons and three daughters together. Clare survived him. After his death, she received a government pension to help support her and their children.
