George Jessel (jurist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir George Jessel
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|---|---|
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| Master of the Rolls | |
| In office 1873–1883 |
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| Preceded by | The Lord Romilly |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Esher |
| Solicitor-General for England | |
| In office 1871–1873 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 February 1824 London |
| Died | 21 March 1883 (aged 59) London |
| Resting place | Willesden United Synagogue Cemetery |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse |
Amelia Moses
(m. 1856) |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University College London |
Sir George Jessel (born 13 February 1824 – died 21 March 1883) was an important British lawyer, politician, and judge. He was known for being one of the most influential judges in business law and fairness during his time. He held a very high position called the Master of the Rolls. Sir George Jessel was also the first Jewish person to be a regular member of the Privy Council and to hold such a senior judicial job in Britain.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sir George Jessel was born in Savile Row, London. His father, Zadok Aaron Jessel, was a Jewish merchant. George went to Mr. Neumegen's School for Jews in Kew. At that time, Jewish people faced some challenges that stopped them from going to certain universities like University of Oxford or Cambridge.
Because of this, he went to University College London in 1840. He later earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of London in 1843. In 1844, he received his Master of Arts (MA) degree and won a gold medal for his skills in mathematics and science. In 1846, he became a fellow of University College, London.
In 1842, he began studying law at Lincoln's Inn, which is one of the professional associations for barristers in England. He officially became a barrister in 1847.
Legal and Political Career
George Jessel quickly became successful as a lawyer. In his first three years, his earnings grew a lot. At first, he mainly worked on property law, but over time, he took on more cases.
In 1865, he was appointed Queen's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers. In the same year, he became a senior member of Lincoln's Inn. He worked in the Court of Chancery, which dealt with fairness and property disputes.
In 1868, Jessel became a member of Parliament for Dover, representing the Liberal Party. Even though he wasn't known for his public speaking, he impressed William Ewart Gladstone, who was a very important politician. This happened after Jessel gave two knowledgeable speeches about a new law called the Bankruptcy Bill in 1869.
Because of his impressive work, he was appointed Solicitor General in 1871. This is a senior legal advisor to the government. In 1872, he was given the title of Knight, becoming "Sir George Jessel." Before he became a judge, his income from his legal work was very high.
Master of the Rolls
In 1873, Sir George Jessel took over from Lord Romilly as the Master of the Rolls. This is a very important judicial position. When he accepted this role, he left Parliament and became a member of the Privy Council.
From 1873 to 1881, Jessel worked as a judge in the rolls court. He was also a member of the Court of Appeal and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
In 1874, a new law called the Judicature Act came into effect. This law changed how courts worked. Later, in 1881, another Judicature Act made the Master of the Rolls the main leader of the Court of Appeal. This meant he no longer had to work as a judge in the first instance court. Jessel led the Court of Appeal almost until the day he died.
In 1878, Sir George Jessel survived an attack by a troubled clergyman. For some time before 1883, he suffered from an illness that affected his heart and liver. He continued to work hard despite his health issues. He sat in court for the last time on March 16, 1883. Five days later, on March 21, 1883, he passed away at his home in London at the age of 59. The Court of Appeal closed the next day to honor him.
Legacy and Impact
As a judge, Jessel was incredibly fast and accurate. People were used to courts being very slow, but he handled cases quickly and made correct decisions. He never had a backlog of cases and often helped other judges clear theirs. His knowledge of law and fairness was vast and precise. He had an amazing memory for past cases and legal principles.
In the rolls court, he never needed to delay a judgment to think about it, not even in very long and complex cases. In the Court of Appeal, he only delayed a judgment twice, and that was to agree with his fellow judges. His speed and accuracy were unmatched in the 19th century.
Sir George Jessel was the Master of the Rolls during a very important time in legal history. The Judicature Acts, which combined different types of law into one system, were passed while he was a judge. His deep knowledge and willingness to support the new system were crucial. Many believed that the success of these new laws would have been impossible without him.
He also played an active role in managing University of London, where he was a fellow since 1861 and later became vice-chancellor in 1880. He was involved with the British Museum and helped draft new rules for the courts. He was also a fellow of the Royal Society.
Jessel's career was a turning point because of his work on the Judicature Acts. He was also the last judge who could have been a member of the House of Commons, though he chose not to. He was the first Jewish person to be a Solicitor General, to be a regular member of the Privy Council, and to hold a high judicial position in Great Britain.
Family Life
In 1856, Sir George Jessel married Amelia Moses. She survived him, along with their three daughters and two sons. His elder son, Charles, was made a baronet shortly after his father's death to recognize Sir George's important contributions. His younger son, Herbert Jessel, later became a Baron in 1924.
Sir George Jessel's family continued to be involved in public life. His great-nephew, Richard Frederick Jessel, was a naval hero during the Second World War. Richard's son, Toby Jessel, was a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1997.
See also
- List of British Jews
- David Jessel
- Toby Jessel
