John Lind (barrister) facts for kids

John Lind (born 1737 – died 1781) was an English barrister (a type of lawyer), political activist, and writer. He was known for disagreeing with the American Revolution, which was when the American colonies fought for their independence from Britain.

Lind studied at Balliol College at the University of Oxford. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1761. While there, he became good friends with Jeremy Bentham, a famous thinker. Lind was also a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London, which studies history, and was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1773.

John Lind's Early Life and Education

John Lind was born on August 13, 1737. He was the only son of Reverend Charles Lind. His father was a church leader in several places in Essex, England.

Lind started studying at Balliol College, Oxford in 1753. He earned his first degree in 1757 and his Master's degree in 1761. Around 1758, he became a deacon in the Church of England. A few years later, he traveled with John Murray, a British diplomat, to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as a chaplain. However, he was later dismissed from this role.

Time in Poland

After leaving his chaplain role, John Lind traveled to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. There, he stopped working as a clergyman. He became a tutor for Prince Stanisław Poniatowski.

The King of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski, noticed Lind's talents. The King made him the head of a school for young military officers and gave him the title of privy councillor (a special advisor). In 1773, after the First Partition of Poland (when parts of Poland were taken by other countries), Lind returned to England. The King of Poland gave him a pension (regular payments) to support him. He also earned money by reading to Prince Czartoryski, the King's uncle.

Life Back in England

When Lind returned to England, he faced financial challenges. He had to help pay off his father's debts and support his sisters, Mary and Lætitia, who ran a girls' boarding school.

Lind met Lord North, who was the Prime Minister at the time. He also often attended card parties hosted by Henrietta Maria North. The King of Poland had given Lind letters of introduction to Lord Mansfield, a powerful judge. Lord Mansfield helped Lind share his political ideas. Through Lord Mansfield's help, Lind was accepted into Lincoln's Inn (a place where lawyers are trained) in 1773. He officially became a lawyer in 1776. Lind was already a member of the Society of Antiquaries and was elected to the Royal Society in 1773.

Lind remained close friends with Jeremy Bentham, who even attended Lind's wedding. Lind hoped to become a member of Parliament (the British government), but he was not successful. He spent several years writing pamphlets (small books or leaflets) about political topics. John Lind passed away in London on January 12, 1781. He was buried in Long Ditton churchyard in Surrey. A special marble plaque was placed there to remember him.

John Lind's Written Works

Lind's first published work was Letters concerning the Present State of Poland (1773). This book was against the First Partition of Poland. He received support from Lord Mansfield and Viscount Stormont while writing it. He also likely wrote The Polish partition : illustrated..., a play-like work often mistakenly linked to someone else.

Here are some of Lind's other important writings:

• Remarks on the Principal Acts of the Thirteenth Parliament of Great Britain (1775): This book discussed the laws related to the American colonies, especially the Intolerable Acts. It also suggested a plan for peace. Samuel Parr praised this work for defending Britain's side against the American colonists. Jeremy Bentham said he helped create the basic ideas for it.
• An Answer to the Declaration of the American Congress (1776): This was a response to the United States Declaration of Independence.
• Three Letters to Dr. Price... (1776): This was a strong criticism of Richard Price's ideas about civil liberty.
• Defence of Lord Pigot (1777): This work defended George Pigot, 1st Baron Pigot.
• A Letter to the Rt. Hon. Willoughby Bertie... (1778): This was a funny, sarcastic reply to Lord Abingdon's criticism of Lord Mansfield.

Because of his writings that supported Britain during the American War of Independence, it is said that Lind's sisters received pension payments.

Lind also helped share two papers about old monuments and forts in Scotland with a publication called Archæologia. He also wrote a defense of Jeremy Bentham's book Fragment on Government, which appeared in the Morning Chronicle newspaper in 1776.

Lind's Family Life

Lind's pension payments continued for his widow (his wife after his death) until 1794. When there were delays in payments, Jeremy Bentham helped solve the problem by writing to the Czar of Russia. After Lind's death, his two sisters faced financial difficulties. A friend tried to raise money for them and for his widow, but his widow chose not to accept it. One of his sisters, Elizabeth, married Captain William Borthwick and passed away in 1764.