Joseph Phillimore facts for kids

Joseph Phillimore (born 1775, died 1855) was an important English civil lawyer and politician. He was also a professor at Oxford University, teaching civil law from 1809.

Joseph Phillimore's Early Life and Education

Joseph Phillimore was born on September 14, 1775. He was the oldest son of Joseph Phillimore, who was a vicar (a type of priest) in Leicestershire. Joseph went to Westminster School, a famous school in London. After that, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, which is a college at Oxford University. He earned his first degree in 1797 and continued his studies, getting advanced law degrees in 1800 and 1804.

Career as a Lawyer and Professor

In 1804, Joseph Phillimore became a member of the College of Advocates. This meant he could practice law in special courts. He worked successfully in courts that handled church matters (ecclesiastical courts) and sea-related cases (Admiralty courts).

From 1806 to 1807, he helped manage ships that were seized during a time of conflict. In 1809, he became the Regius Professor of Civil Law at Oxford. This was a very important teaching position. He also became a judge in the Admiralty court for the Cinque ports, which were important coastal towns.

Joseph Phillimore's Political Career

In 1817, Joseph Phillimore became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of St Mawes in Cornwall. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. He stayed an MP until 1826. He then represented Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight for a short time.

During his time in Parliament, he was known for supporting Catholic emancipation. This was a movement to give Roman Catholics more rights in Britain. He also spoke a lot about international law, which are the rules that countries follow when dealing with each other.

From 1822 to 1828, he served on the board that managed affairs for India. He also led commissions that dealt with claims from France and helped with voter registration. In 1834, he became the King's Advocate in the Admiralty court. He also held important positions in several church legal departments.

In 1834, he received an honorary law degree from Cambridge University. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1840. This is a very prestigious group for scientists. He continued to teach civil law at Oxford until he passed away on January 24, 1855, at his home near Reading.

Joseph Phillimore's Writings and Publications

Joseph Phillimore was a talented writer. In 1798, he won a university prize for an essay he wrote about 'Chivalry'. This essay was later published in a collection of Oxford prize essays.

He also edited several important legal books. These books contained reports of cases that were argued in the Ecclesiastical Courts and the High Court of Delegates between 1809 and 1821. He also edited reports of cases from other important courts, which included the judgments of a famous judge named Sir George Lee.

Joseph Phillimore's Family Life

Joseph Phillimore married Elizabeth Bagot in 1807. They had several children together. Some of their notable children included John George Phillimore, Greville Phillimore, Augustus Phillimore, and Robert Joseph Phillimore.

One of his sons, Richard Phillimore, had a very sad accident in June 1843. Richard was a student at Christ Church, Oxford. He was swimming in the River Thames at a dangerous spot called Sandford Lock. His friend, William Gaisford, got into trouble in the water. Richard tried to save him, but tragically, both young men drowned. They are buried together at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. There is an obelisk (a tall, thin monument) at Sandford Lock and two memorial tablets in the Cathedral cloisters to remember them.