Josiah Dornford facts for kids

King Pitt, a Cut Purse of the Empire and the Rule that from a Shelf the precious Diadem stole, and put it in his Pocket (1788). (This picture shows a political cartoon from his time.)

Josiah Dornford (born around 1762 or 1764, died 1797) was an English lawyer and writer. He was known for suggesting improvements to debtors' prisons. These were places where people were held if they couldn't pay their debts.

Sir Jeffery Dunstan presenting an Address from the Corporation of Garratt (around 1788). (This image is connected to Josiah Dornford.)

The Life of Josiah Dornford

Josiah Dornford was the son of another Josiah Dornford, who lived in Deptford, Kent. His father was a member of the Court of Common Council for the City of London. He also wrote several short books about the city's affairs and how to improve debtors' prisons. Josiah Dornford's half-brother, Joseph Dornford, became a Church of England clergyman.

Josiah Dornford's Education

Josiah Dornford began his studies at Trinity College, Oxford on May 23, 1781, when he was eighteen years old. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in 1785. Later, in 1792, he received his Master of Arts (MA) degree.

After Oxford, he continued his education at the University of Göttingen in Germany. There, he earned a law degree called Legum Doctor (LL.D.). He then became a lawyer, joining the bar at Lincoln's Inn in London.

Career and Later Years

In 1795, Josiah Dornford was given an important job. He was named the inspector-general of the army accounts in the Leeward Islands. This record also shows that he had worked as one of the special officers for Lord Moira's army.

Josiah Dornford passed away in Martinique on July 1, 1797.

Josiah Dornford's Published Works

Josiah Dornford was also a writer and translator. He helped bring important ideas to English readers.

Translating German History

In 1790, he published a three-volume English translation of a book by John Stephen Pütter. The book was called Historical Development of the Present Political Constitution of the Germanic Empire. It was likely translated while Dornford was studying in Göttingen, where Pütter was a law professor.

Academic Writings and Political Views

Dornford also published a small book in Latin. It contained academic writings by another professor from Göttingen, Christian Gottlob Heyne, who was an expert in languages. Heyne wrote in the book's introduction that Dornford was a "learned youth" who had achieved "the highest honours in jurisprudence" at their university.

His only other known work is a political pamphlet published in 1793. It was titled The Motives and Consequences of the Present War impartially considered. In this pamphlet, Dornford wrote in support of the government led by Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger.