James Wilde, 1st Baron Penzance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Penzance
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| Born | 12 July 1816 London, England
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| Died | 9 December 1899 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Mary Pleydell-Bouverie
(m. 1860) |
James Plaisted Wilde, 1st Baron Penzance (born 12 July 1816 – died 9 December 1899) was an important British judge. He was also known for his love of roses and for growing new types of them.
Lord Penzance was also interested in a theory about William Shakespeare. He believed that the famous plays usually credited to Shakespeare were actually written by Francis Bacon.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
James Wilde was born in London, England. His father, Edward Archer Wilde, was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. James had a younger brother, Sir Alfred Thomas Wilde, who became a high-ranking officer in the army. His uncles were also important legal figures.
He went to Winchester College for his early education. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university. He finished his studies there in 1838. After university, he trained to become a lawyer.
A Career in Law
James Wilde became a very successful lawyer. In 1855, he was made a Queen's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers. He was knighted in 1860, meaning he received the title "Sir." This happened when he became a Baron of the Exchequer, a senior judge.
From 1863 to 1872, he was the judge in charge of the Court of Probate and Divorce. This court handled cases about wills and divorces. In 1869, he was given the title Baron Penzance. This made him a peer, which is a member of the nobility.
In 1875, he took on another important role as Dean of Arches. In this position, he oversaw several famous trials. These cases involved disagreements within the Church of England about how religious services should be performed.
One notable case he presided over was Hyde v. Hyde in 1866. This case involved a legal question about marriage. Lord Penzance's ruling helped define marriage in British law for many years.
The Shakespeare Mystery
Lord Penzance was very interested in the works of William Shakespeare. He believed that the plays showed a deep understanding of law. In his book, The Bacon-Shakespeare Controversy (1890), he wrote that Shakespeare's knowledge of English law was "perfect and intimate."
He argued that this detailed legal knowledge suggested the plays were written by someone with legal training, like Francis Bacon. Other writers, such as Sir George Greenwood, agreed with Lord Penzance's ideas. However, others disagreed, saying Shakespeare's legal knowledge was not that unusual.
Family Life and Gardening
In 1860, James Wilde married Lady Mary. She was the daughter of a nobleman, the 3rd Earl of Radnor. They did not have any children. The couple lived at a place called Eashing Park in Godalming.
Lord Penzance had a passion for gardening, especially for growing roses. At his garden in Godalming, he created two new types of roses. He named them Lady Penzance and Lord Penzance. He continued to develop 14 more new roses. He named these new roses after characters from the famous novels of Sir Walter Scott. One example is the Jeanie Deans Hybrid Rose.
Arms
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