Joseph Jekyll (1754–1837) facts for kids

Joseph Jekyll (born January 1, 1754 – died March 8, 1837) was an important British politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Whig Party, which was one of the main political groups in Britain at the time. Jekyll served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Calne in Wiltshire. He was also a respected lawyer and a Fellow of the Royal Society, a famous group for scientists and thinkers.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Jekyll was the oldest son of Captain Edward Jekyll. He started his education at Westminster School when he was 12 years old, from 1766 to 1770. After that, he went to Christ Church, Oxford, a well-known university. He earned his first degree (BA) in 1774 and a master's degree (MA) in 1777.

Becoming a Lawyer

While studying at Oxford, Joseph also began training to become a lawyer. He joined Lincoln's Inn in 1769, which is one of the professional associations for barristers in London. He finished his legal training and was officially allowed to practice law in 1778. This process is called being "called to the bar."

A Career in Law and Politics

Joseph Jekyll had a successful career both as a lawyer and as a politician. He was known for his knowledge and skills in both fields.

Legal Achievements

Jekyll became a very respected lawyer. In 1805, he was made a Bencher at the Inner Temple, another important legal society. He later held even higher positions there, becoming a reader in 1814 and the treasurer in 1816. He was also appointed as a solicitor-general to the Prince of Wales and became a King's Counsel in 1805. Being a King's Counsel meant he was a senior lawyer chosen to represent the Crown.

Serving in Parliament

In 1787, Joseph Jekyll was elected as a Member of Parliament for Calne. He held this position for many years, until 1816. As an MP, he represented the people of Calne in the British Parliament. He resigned from his seat by accepting a special job called Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, which is a way for MPs to formally leave Parliament.

Other Notable Contributions

Beyond his work in law and politics, Joseph Jekyll was also interested in literature and learning.

Supporting Arts and Science

In 1782, Jekyll wrote an important introduction for a collection of letters by Ignatius Sancho. Sancho was a black composer and writer, and Jekyll's memoir helped share Sancho's story with more people. This introduction was first published without his name, but later editions showed that Jekyll had written it. In 1790, Joseph Jekyll was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This honor was given to him because he was seen as "a Gentleman conversant in various Branches of Literature," meaning he was knowledgeable in many areas of learning.

Family Life

In 1801, Joseph Jekyll married Maria Sloane. Her father, Hans Sloane, was also a Member of Parliament. Joseph and Maria had two sons. Their youngest son later became the father of a very famous garden designer named Gertrude Jekyll.

Later Years

In 1824, Joseph Jekyll inherited a large estate called Wargrave Hill in Berkshire. Today, it's known as Wargrave Manor. However, he preferred to live in London, specifically in the Mayfair area. So, he rented out the Wargrave estate to other people. Joseph Jekyll passed away in London in 1837.