Nathaniel Gundry facts for kids
Sir Nathaniel Gundry (born around 1701, died 1754) was an important English lawyer and politician. He served as a judge and was known for his legal skills during the 18th century.
Early Life and Legal Training
Nathaniel Gundry was born in a town called Lyme Regis in England. When he was about 19 years old, in 1720, he began his legal studies at a famous place called the Middle Temple in London. This was one of the Inns of Court, where aspiring lawyers learned their trade.
After five years of hard work, in 1725, he was "called to the bar." This means he officially became a barrister, allowed to argue cases in court. He then moved to another well-known legal institution, Lincoln's Inn, to continue his career.
A Career in Politics
In 1741, Nathaniel Gundry decided to enter politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Dorchester. An MP is someone who represents their local area in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament. He was re-elected in 1747, showing that people in Dorchester trusted him.
During his time in Parliament, Gundry joined the group of politicians who opposed Sir Robert Walpole, a very powerful leader at the time. When Walpole's influence ended, Gundry's career advanced. He was made a king's counsel, which is a special title given to experienced lawyers who advise the Crown. A writer named Sir Charles Hanbury Williams even mentioned him, saying that the King now had "good and able counsellors" like Gundry.
Gundry was considered for a very high legal position, Solicitor General, but he wasn't chosen. Some people at the time suggested it might have been because his manners were seen as a bit formal or proud.
Becoming a Judge
In 1750, Nathaniel Gundry was appointed a judge. He became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, which was one of the most important courts in England at the time, dealing with disputes between ordinary people.
He served as a judge for four years. Sadly, while he was traveling for work in Launceston, Cornwall, he became ill and died on March 23, 1754. He was 53 years old. He passed away from what was known as "gaol fever," a serious illness common in prisons back then, often spread by fleas and lice.
Nathaniel Gundry was buried in a place called Musbury, near Axminster. A special stone tablet was placed in the local church to remember him. He owned land and built a house in Dorsetshire, which later went to his son, also named Nathaniel. He also lived in a place called Maidenhayne in Musbury.
His wife, Mary Kelloway, lived much longer than him. She passed away in Richmond, Surrey, in 1791, at the age of 73.
