John Atkinson, Baron Atkinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Atkinson
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The Lord Atkinson
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| Lord of Appeal in Ordinary | |
| In office 20 December 1905 – 5 February 1928 |
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| Succeeded by | The Lord Atkin |
| Attorney-General for Ireland | |
| Solicitor-General for Ireland | |
John Atkinson, Baron Atkinson (born 13 December 1844 – died 13 March 1932) was an important Irish politician and judge. He held a very high position as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary from 1905 to 1928. This meant he was one of the most senior judges in the United Kingdom. He was also a member of the Privy Council, an advisory body to the King or Queen.
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Early Life and Education
John Atkinson was born in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland. He was the oldest son of Edward Atkinson, a doctor. His family lived at Glenwilliam Castle in County Limerick and Skea House in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
He went to school at the Belfast Academy. Later, he studied at Queen's College Galway from 1858 to 1865. He was a very bright student, winning scholarships in science. In 1861, he earned a degree in mathematics with top honors.
After that, he decided to study law. He earned a law diploma in 1864 and a law degree (LL.B.) in 1865, also with top honors. During his time at university, John Atkinson was known for being a great speaker. He even led the college's Literary and Debating Society.
Becoming a Lawyer
In 1865, John Atkinson became a lawyer in Ireland. This is called being "called to the Irish Bar." He quickly became very good at his job. By 1880, at just 35 years old, he was appointed a Queen's Counsel. This is a special title given to experienced lawyers, showing they are experts in their field. He worked as a Queen's Counsel in the Munster area of Ireland.
In 1885, he became a "Bencher" of the King's Inns, which is a professional body for lawyers in Ireland. He also became a lawyer in England in 1890, joining the Inner Temple, one of the four main legal societies in London.
A Career in Politics
John Atkinson was very active in politics while working as a lawyer. In 1889, he was chosen to be the Solicitor-General for Ireland. This is a senior legal advisor to the government. He then became the Attorney-General for Ireland in 1892, which is an even higher legal role. That same year, he joined the Privy Council, becoming a "Privy Councillor."
After leaving the Attorney-General's office for a short time, he spoke out against "Home Rule" for Ireland. Home Rule was a movement that wanted Ireland to have its own government, separate from the United Kingdom. Atkinson believed that keeping Ireland and the UK united was important for freedom.
In 1895, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for North Londonderry. He was part of the Conservative Party. After becoming an MP, he was again appointed Attorney-General for Ireland. He held this position for ten years. During this time, he helped create important laws, like the Irish Land Act of 1896 and the Local Government Act of 1898.
Becoming a Top Judge
On 19 December 1905, John Atkinson was given a very important role. He was appointed to the House of Lords as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. This meant he became one of the highest judges in the country. He was also made a "life peer," which means he was given the title Baron Atkinson for the rest of his life. He chose the name "Glenwilliam" for his title, after his family's home in County Limerick.
John Atkinson was the first Irish lawyer to become a Law Lord directly from his legal practice. Other Irish judges had served on the Irish courts for many years before getting this role. Some people thought his appointment was too political because he had been a cabinet member. However, he soon proved himself to be a hardworking and fair judge, which made him a valuable addition to the court.
Once he became a Law Lord, he stopped being involved in everyday politics. He only spoke about Irish issues in the House of Lords, like the Irish Land Bill in 1909. John Atkinson retired as a judge in 1928. He passed away at his home in London on 13 March 1932. A painting of him can be seen in the Bar Room of King's Inns in Dublin.
Family Coat of Arms
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John Atkinson was granted a special family coat of arms when he became Baron Atkinson. A coat of arms is a unique design that represents a family or person. His motto was "Virtute Et Valore," which means "By Virtue and Valor."
