Peter Benson Maxwell facts for kids
Peter Benson Maxwell was an important judge and writer. He was born in Ireland in 1817. He became a judge in places far away, like Singapore and Penang. He also wrote important books about law.
Contents
Who Was Peter Benson Maxwell?
Peter Benson Maxwell was born on January 31, 1817. He was from a place called Birdstown in County Donegal, Ireland. His father was Reverend Peter Benson Maxwell.
Early Life and Learning
Peter went to Trinity College Dublin to study. This is a famous university in Ireland. After his studies, he became a lawyer. He joined a group of lawyers called the Middle Temple in London in 1841. This meant he was ready to practice law.
A Judge in Far-Off Lands
Maxwell became a judge in different parts of the world. From 1856 to 1866, he was a "recorder" in Penang. Penang was then known as Prince of Wales Island. A recorder is a type of judge who hears cases.
After that, he moved to Singapore. He was the recorder there from 1866 to 1871. In 1867, he became the Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements. The Straits Settlements was a group of British territories in Southeast Asia. He held this important position until 1871.
Writing About Law
Besides being a judge, Maxwell was also a writer. He wrote books about law. His most famous book was called On the Interpretation of Statutes. It was first published in 1875. This book helped explain how laws should be understood. It was so important that new versions of it were still being printed many years later. He also wrote another book called The Duties of Police Magistrates in 1871. This book was about what police judges should do.
His Later Years
Peter Benson Maxwell was recognized for his work. He was given the title of "Sir" (knighted) on January 30, 1856. This is a special honor. He passed away on January 14, 1893.
