Michael Havers, Baron Havers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Havers
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| Lord Chancellor | |
| In office 13 June 1987 – 26 October 1987 |
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| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | The Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Mackay of Clashfern |
| Attorney General for England and Wales Attorney General for Northern Ireland |
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| In office 6 May 1979 – 13 June 1987 |
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| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | Samuel Silkin |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Mayhew |
| Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales | |
| In office 18 February 1975 – 4 May 1979 |
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| Leader | Margaret Thatcher |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Silkin |
| Solicitor General for England and Wales | |
| In office 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 |
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| Prime Minister | Edward Heath |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Howe |
| Succeeded by | Peter Archer |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 22 June 1987 – 1 April 1992 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Wimbledon |
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| In office 18 June 1970 – 18 May 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Cyril Black |
| Succeeded by | Charles Goodson-Wickes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Michael Oldfield Havers
10 March 1923 |
| Died | 1 April 1992 (aged 69) London, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Carol Elizabeth Lay
(m. 1949) |
| Children | Philip Havers Nigel Havers |
| Alma mater | Corpus Christi College, Cambridge |
Robert Michael Oldfield Havers, also known as Baron Havers, was an important British lawyer and politician. He was born on March 10, 1923, and passed away on April 1, 1992. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He was knighted in 1972, which means he became "Sir Robert Havers." Later, in 1987, he was made a "life peer," becoming a Lord in the House of Lords.
Early Life and War Service
Robert Havers was the second son of a High Court judge, Sir Cecil Havers. His mother was Enid Flo Havers. He had a sister, Baroness Butler-Sloss, who later became the first woman to join the Court of Appeal in 1988.
He went to Westminster School before joining the Royal Navy in 1941. This was during the Second World War. He served as a young officer on a ship called HMS Sirius. After the war ended, he left the Navy in 1947.
In 1946, he went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, to study law.
Becoming a Lawyer
After finishing his studies, Havers became a lawyer in 1948. This is called being "called to the bar." He worked with experienced lawyers to learn the ropes.
In 1964, he became a Queen's Counsel, which is a very senior and respected lawyer. He also worked as a judge, called a Recorder, in towns like Dover and Norwich from 1962 to 1971.
Political Career
In 1970, Robert Havers was elected to the House of Commons. He represented the area of Wimbledon and held this position until 1987.
He served as the Solicitor General from 1972 to 1974 under Prime Minister Edward Heath. This role involves advising the government on legal matters. In 1977, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the Queen.
From 1979 to 1987, he was the Attorney-General for England and Wales and also the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. He served under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He held this job for a very long time, longer than almost anyone else since the 1700s. During the Falklands War, he advised the government on international law.
In June 1987, he was appointed Lord Chancellor. This is a very important legal role in the government. When he became Lord Chancellor, he also became a "life peer" as Baron Havers. However, he had to leave this role in October 1987 because of health problems.
Family Life
Robert Havers married Carol Elizabeth Lay in 1949. They had two sons together. One son, Philip Havers, also became a Queen's Counsel, just like his father. Their other son is the well-known actor Nigel Havers.
In 1981, the apartment where Sir Michael and Lady Havers lived in Wimbledon was bombed. Luckily, the family was not home at the time. A police officer guarding the house was affected, and another person in the building was unharmed.
Robert Havers had two heart operations in the 1980s. He passed away on April 1, 1992, in London, at the age of 69. He became ill while working in his office.
Images for kids
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Shield of arms, displayed in the House of Lords.
