Nicholas Fazakerley facts for kids
Nicholas Fazakerley (born around 1685, died 1767) was an important English lawyer and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons for Preston from 1732 until his death in 1767. He was known for his strong legal skills and his firm political beliefs.
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Early Life and Education
Nicholas Fazakerley was the son of Henry Fazakerley. He grew up near Liverpool. He likely attended Eton College in 1698. Later, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford in 1702 when he was about 17 years old.
He began studying law at Middle Temple in 1700. He officially became a lawyer, or was "called to the bar," in 1707. In 1714, he joined another important legal society, the Inner Temple. In 1723, he married Ann Lutwyche, whose father, Sir Thomas Lutwyche, was also an MP.
A Busy Legal Career
At first, Fazakerley worked mainly as a lawyer who advised people on fair legal solutions, often outside of court. But as he became more experienced, he started appearing in different types of courts. He often dealt with cases about conveyancing, which is the legal process of transferring land and property.
Sometimes, his deep knowledge of law meant he was hired for important "state trials." These were big cases that often involved the government or national issues.
Defending a Bookseller
One famous case he worked on was the trial of Richard Francklin in 1731. Francklin was a bookseller accused of publishing a controversial letter in a newspaper called The Craftsman. Fazakerley was part of the defense team. He argued every point with great effort, as if the whole country depended on the outcome.
Fazakerley became a senior member of Lincoln's Inn, another legal society, in 1736. He also served as a lawyer for Cambridge University from 1738 to 1757. In 1742, he became the "recorder" (a type of judge) for the town of Preston, a role he held for the rest of his life. However, his strong political views prevented him from reaching the very highest legal positions.
His Time in Politics
Fazakerley was elected as a Tory Member of Parliament (MP) for Preston in 1732. He kept his seat in Parliament for many years, often winning without anyone running against him.
He was known as a "Jacobite," which meant he supported the return of the old royal family to the throne. He was a careful Jacobite, but his opinions were always listened to in Parliament. Some members of his party even saw him as a leader.
Speaking Out in Parliament
In 1739, during a debate about an agreement with Spain, Fazakerley spoke strongly. He said that if the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, forced the agreement through, he would stop attending Parliament. This showed how committed he was to his beliefs.
He also played a key role in debates about the Regency Bill in 1751. This bill was about who would rule if the King was too young or unable to. Fazakerley strongly opposed a part of the bill about royal marriages. There's a story that Walpole once joked that if a certain judge didn't accept a new job quickly, Fazakerley would become a top legal official instead!
Another important speech he gave was against the Jews' Naturalisation Bill in 1753. This bill would have made it easier for Jewish people to become British citizens.
Fazakerley continued to be elected as MP for Preston in the general elections of 1754 and 1761.
Later Life and Family
Nicholas Fazakerley passed away in February 1767 at his home in London. Sadly, both of his children died before him. His son passed away in 1737. His daughter, Elizabeth, married Lord Tretham in 1744 but died the following year in 1745.
