Henry Hodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Hodge
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| Born |
Henry Egar Garfield Hodge
12 January 1944 Peterborough, England
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| Died | 18 June 2009 (aged 65) University College Hospital, London
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| Nationality | British |
| Education | Chigwell School |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Solicitor, High Court judge |
| Years active | 1970–2009 |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse(s) | Miranda Tufnell (1971–1975; divorced) Margaret Oppenheimer MBE MP (1978–2009, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | OBE (1973) Knight Bachelor (2004) |
Sir Henry Egar Garfield Hodge (1944 – 2009) was an important British lawyer and judge. He was known for his work helping people and for becoming a High Court judge. This is a very senior position in the legal system.
Contents
Who Was Sir Henry Hodge?
Sir Henry Hodge was a dedicated solicitor and later a respected judge. He spent his career working to make sure everyone had fair access to legal help. He also played a role in politics.
Early Life and Education
Henry Hodge was born in Peterborough, England, on January 12, 1944. He went to Chigwell School for his early education. After school, he studied Law at Balliol College, Oxford, a famous university. He finished his studies there in 1965.
His Career as a Lawyer
Henry Hodge became a qualified solicitor in 1970. A solicitor is a type of lawyer who advises clients and prepares legal documents.
He then joined the Child Poverty Action Group. This group helps families and children who are struggling financially. Henry worked there as a solicitor and deputy director until 1977.
In 1974, he became the chairman of the National Council for Civil Liberties. This organization works to protect people's rights and freedoms.
In 1977, Henry Hodge started his own law firm called Hodge Jones & Allen. He worked there with his partners, Peter Jones and Patrick Allen. He also helped with the Legal Aid Board from 1996 to 1999. This board helped people who couldn't afford legal advice. He was also a Vice-President of the Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales.
Becoming a Judge
Henry Hodge became a Recorder in 1993. A Recorder is a part-time judge. In October 1999, he became a Circuit Judge, which is a full-time judge. At this point, he left his law firm.
In 2001, he was appointed Chief Immigration Adjudicator. This meant he was in charge of hearing appeals about immigration decisions.
On October 1, 2004, Henry Hodge made history. He became only the third solicitor to be appointed as a High Court judge in England and Wales. This is a very important role in the justice system. In April 2005, he became the President of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. This tribunal handles cases for people seeking asylum or immigration status.
His Role in Politics
Henry Hodge was very involved with the Labour Party. He even said he was "married to the Labour Party." In February 1974, he ran for a seat in Parliament for Croydon South. However, he did not win.
He later became a Councillor in the London Borough of Islington. A councillor is an elected member of a local government. It was there that he met his second wife, Margaret Hodge.
In the 1990s, Henry and his wife became friends with Tony Blair, who later became Prime Minister. They even helped Tony Blair and his team develop ideas for "New Labour," which was a new direction for the Labour Party. Because of his support, Henry Hodge was a member of the "1,000 Club," a group of major donors to the Labour Party.
Personal Life and Awards
Henry Hodge was married twice. His first marriage was to Miranda Tufnell in 1971, but they divorced in 1975. In 1978, he married Margaret Watson, a Labour politician. They had two daughters together.
Henry Hodge received several honors for his service. In 1993, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognizes contributions to public life. In 2004, he was knighted, which meant he could use the title "Sir."
Outside of his work, Henry Hodge enjoyed motorcycling. He was also a big fan of the football team Arsenal.
His Final Years
From 2007, Henry Hodge had several heart problems. In September 2008, he was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer. He received treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, he became ill again in June 2009 and passed away from liver failure on June 18, 2009, at the age of 65.
