Giles Rooke facts for kids
Sir Giles Rooke (born 1743, died 1808) was an important English judge. He played a big role in the legal system during his time.
Contents
Sir Giles Rooke's Life and Career
Early Life and Education
Giles Rooke was born on June 3, 1743. He was the third son of Giles Rooke, a successful merchant from London. His father also worked as a director for the East India Company. His mother was Frances Cropp from Southampton.
Young Giles went to Harrow School, a well-known school. After that, he started studying at St John's College, Oxford in 1759. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1763. He then got his M.A. degree in 1766. In the same year, he became a fellow at Merton College, Oxford. He kept this position until 1785.
Becoming a Judge
In 1766, Giles Rooke also became a lawyer, or "called to the bar", at Lincoln's Inn. This meant he could practice law. He worked on cases in the western part of England.
By 1781, he became a "serjeant-at-law". This was a special kind of senior lawyer. In April 1793, he was made a "king's serjeant", which was an even higher legal role.
Later that year, on November 13, 1793, Giles Rooke became a judge. He was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas. This was a major court in England. At the same time, he was given the title of "Sir," meaning he was knighted.
Important Cases and Later Years
As a judge, Sir Giles Rooke handled many important legal cases. For example, he oversaw a significant trial in York in 1795. This trial involved Henry Redhead Yorke, who was accused of working against the government.
Sir Giles Rooke passed away on March 7, 1808. He had a large family with his wife, Harriet Sophia Burrard. Her brother was Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Neale. Sir Giles Rooke's grandchildren included the famous author William Henry Giles Kingston.
Sir Giles Rooke also wrote a book called Thoughts on the Propriety of fixing Easter Term in 1792.
