John Strange (English politician) facts for kids

Sir John Strange (1696 – 18 May 1754) was an important British politician and judge. He held several high-ranking legal jobs during his lifetime. These included being the Solicitor General for England and Wales and the Master of the Rolls.

Sir John Strange's Life and Career

Early Life and Education

John Strange was born in 1696 in London. His father was also named John Strange. He began studying Law at a place called the Middle Temple in 1712. This was a special school for future lawyers.

He then trained with a lawyer named Charles Salkeld. One of Salkeld's other students was Lord Hardwicke, who would become a very important person in John Strange's career. John Strange officially became a lawyer, or barrister, in 1718.

Becoming a King's Counsel

In 1735, John Strange bought a house called Leyton Grange House. It was located in Leyton, which was then part of Essex. In 1725, he helped represent Lord Macclesfield in a legal case.

He became a King's Counsel on February 9, 1736. This title means he was a senior lawyer chosen to represent the Crown. In the same year, he became a Bencher of Middle Temple. This is a senior position within the legal society.

Important Roles in Government

On January 28, 1737, John Strange was made Solicitor General for England and Wales. This is a very high legal position in the government. To take this job, he also became a Member of Parliament for West Looe.

In 1738, he was offered the job of Master of the Rolls. This is another very important judicial role, but he turned it down at the time. He became the Recorder of London in November 1739. This role involved being a judge in London's courts.

On May 12, 1740, he was knighted and became "Sir" John Strange. He stopped being a Member of Parliament for West Looe in 1741. However, he was re-elected for Totnes in 1742.

Later Career and Legacy

In December 1742, Sir John Strange resigned from his roles as Recorder of London and Solicitor General. He said it was due to poor health. He also decided to focus his legal work mainly on the Court of King's Bench.

In 1750, Lord Hardwicke convinced him to take the job of Master of the Rolls. He started this position on January 11, 1750. On March 17, he became a Privy Councillor. This meant he was a trusted advisor to the King.

Sir John Strange served as Master of the Rolls for four years until his death on May 18, 1754. After he died, his son, also named John Strange, published his father's court reports. These reports contained records of legal cases. Sir John Strange was buried in the Rolls Chapel. His gravestone has a famous saying:

Here lies an honest lawyer,
and that is Strange.

Family Life

On May 14, 1722, Sir John Strange married Susannah Strong. She was the oldest daughter of Edward Strong the Younger, who was a famous sculptor and mason. He worked on St Paul's Cathedral.

Sir John and Susannah had two sons and nine daughters. One of their sons was John Strange, who later became a diplomat.