Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Alvanley
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| Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas | |
| In office 23 May 1801 – 19 March 1804 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | The Lord Eldon |
| Succeeded by | Sir James Mansfield |
| Master of the Rolls | |
| In office 1788–1801 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Sir Lloyd Kenyon |
| Succeeded by | Sir William Grant |
| Attorney General | |
| In office 1784–1788 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | William Pitt the Younger |
| Preceded by | Lloyd Kenyon |
| Succeeded by | Sir Archibald Macdonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 June 1744 Bredbury, England |
| Died | 19 March 1804 (aged 59) |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse |
Anne Dorothea Wilbraham-Bootle
(m. 1784) |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley (born May 20, 1744 – died March 19, 1804) was an important British lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Whig political group. He rose to become the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, a very high position for a judge. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1783 to 1801, helping to make laws for the country.
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Early Life and Education
Richard Pepper Arden was born on May 20, 1744, in Bredbury, England. His father was John Arden, and his mother was Mary Pepper. He was baptized on June 20, 1744, in Stockport.
Richard went to The Manchester Grammar School. After that, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1761. He earned his first degree (BA) in 1766. In 1769, he joined the Middle Temple, which is one of the places where lawyers are trained in London. He also received his Master of Arts (MA) degree from Trinity College that same year. Soon after, he became a Fellow of the college.
A Rising Legal and Political Star
Richard Arden began his legal career in London. He became a close friend of William Pitt the Younger, who later became a very powerful Prime Minister. Richard and William worked together in politics for many years.
In 1776, Richard became a judge who traveled to hear cases in South Wales. This was called being a judge on the South Wales circuit. In 1780, he was made a King's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers. He then served as Solicitor General, a top legal advisor to the government. He held this role twice, once under Prime Minister Shelburne and again under William Pitt the Younger.
Around this time, Richard also entered the House of Commons. This is where elected Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to discuss and make laws. He represented the area of Newtown from 1783 to 1784. In 1784, he became the MP for Aldborough. He was also appointed Attorney General, another very important legal role, and Chief Justice of Chester. He held these positions until 1788.
Becoming a Top Judge and Lord
On June 4, 1788, Richard Arden was promoted again. He became the Master of the Rolls, a senior judge in England. He was also made a knight on June 18, 1788, which meant he could use "Sir" before his name. That same year, he joined the Privy Council, a group of important advisors to the King.
He continued his work as an MP, representing Hastings from 1790 to 1794. Then he represented Bath until 1801.
In May 1801, Richard Arden reached the highest point in his judicial career. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. This made him one of the most important judges in the country. On May 22, 1801, he was given the title Baron Alvanley, which meant he became a Lord and a member of the House of Lords.
Lord Alvanley passed away on March 19, 1804. He was buried a week later in London. People remembered him as an intelligent and witty person. He was known as a skilled lawyer and a successful politician.
His Family Life
On September 9, 1784, Richard Arden married Anne Dorothea Wilbraham-Bootle. She was the daughter of Richard Wilbraham-Bootle and Mary Bootle.
They had several children:
- John Arden (1786–1787)
- Sarah Arden (died 1787)
- William Arden, 2nd Baron Alvanley (1789–1849), who never married.
- Marianne Arden (died 1791)
- Frances Henrietta Arden (1792–1852), who married Sir John Warrender in 1831.
- Richard Pepper Arden, 3rd Baron Alvanley (1792–1857), who married Lady Arabella Vane.
- Catherine Emma Arden (1794–1875)
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