John MacDermott, Baron MacDermott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord MacDermott
|
|
|---|---|
MacDermott in 1950.
|
|
| Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 1951–1971 |
|
| Preceded by | Sir James Andrews, Bt. |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Lowry |
| Lord of Appeal in Ordinary | |
| In office 23 April 1947 – 6 April 1951 |
|
| Preceded by | The Lord Wright |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Asquith of Bishopstone |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Clarke MacDermott
|
John Clarke MacDermott, Baron MacDermott (born April 12, 1896 – died July 13, 1979) was an important judge and politician from Northern Ireland. He held several high-ranking positions. These included being the top legal advisor for Northern Ireland, a senior judge in the highest court in the United Kingdom, and the main judge in Northern Ireland. He was the first judge from Northern Ireland to be appointed to the UK's highest court.
Contents
Who Was Lord MacDermott?
John Clarke MacDermott was born in Belfast in 1896. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman, a church leader in Belfast. John was one of seven children. He went to Campbell College in Belfast. In 1914, he won a scholarship to study Law at the Queen's University of Belfast.
A Young Soldier and Lawyer
During the First World War, MacDermott bravely served in the British Army. He fought in France with the machine gun battalion. For his courage, he received the Military Cross medal in 1918. After the war, he became a lawyer in 1921. He worked in both Dublin and Belfast.
He became a very busy lawyer in Northern Ireland. In 1936, he was made a King's Counsel. This is a special title for experienced lawyers. From 1931 to 1935, he also taught law at Queen's University.
Stepping into Politics
In 1938, John MacDermott was elected to the Parliament of Northern Ireland. He represented Queen's University as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.
When the Second World War began in 1939, he rejoined the British Army. However, he was released from military service in 1941. This was so he could become the Minister of Public Security for the Northern Ireland government.
Later in 1941, he became the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland. This meant he was the chief legal advisor to the government. He held this important role until 1944.
Becoming a Top Judge
In 1944, MacDermott became a High Court Judge in Northern Ireland. Three years later, in 1947, he was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. This is a very high judicial position in the United Kingdom. He was given the title Baron MacDermott. This meant he became a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament.
In 1951, Lord MacDermott returned to Belfast. He took on the role of Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. This is the most senior judge in Northern Ireland. He held this position for twenty years. Even as Lord Chief Justice, he sometimes helped with cases in London. People sometimes called him "the Baron" in Northern Ireland.
He also served as Pro-Chancellor of his old university, Queen's University, from 1951 to 1969. In 1958, he led a group looking into the Isle of Man's government rules.
Later Life and Legacy
Lord MacDermott retired in 1977. He was over 80 years old at this time. In the same year, he was injured while giving a lecture. He had offered to finish the lecture even after the incident. He passed away two years later in 1979.
In 1926, he married Louise Palmer Johnston. Their son, also named John Clarke MacDermott, followed in his father's footsteps. He also became a senior judge in Northern Ireland.
Lord MacDermott was a member of the Northern Ireland Privy Council. He also joined the British Privy Council in 1947. This is a group of important advisors to the King or Queen.
See also
- List of Northern Ireland Members of the House of Lords
