Russell Gurney facts for kids
Russell Gurney was an important English lawyer and politician. He was born on September 2, 1804, and passed away on May 31, 1878. He was a member of the Conservative Party. Gurney served in the British Parliament from 1865 until his death in 1878. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group of top scientists.
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Russell Gurney's Life
Russell Gurney was born in a place called Norwood. His father, Sir John Gurney, was a judge. Russell went to Trinity College, Cambridge for his education. After college, he became a lawyer. He joined a group of lawyers called the Inner Temple in 1828.
His Career as a Lawyer and Judge
In 1845, Russell Gurney became a Queen's Counsel. This means he was a very experienced and respected lawyer. In 1856, he was chosen to be the Recorder of London. This was a very important job, like being a chief judge in London. He also worked as a judge in different parts of England and Wales. He helped look into an important event in Jamaica. In 1866, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of important advisors to the Queen.
Russell Gurney in Parliament
In 1865, Russell Gurney was elected to Parliament. He represented the area of Southampton. He stayed in this role until he died in 1878. While in Parliament, he helped create several important laws.
- He worked on a law in 1867 to improve how criminal laws were managed.
- He helped pass the Married Women's Property Act 1870 in 1870. This law was very important because it allowed married women to own their own property and money. Before this, a woman's property usually became her husband's when they married.
- He also worked on the Public Prosecutor's Bill in 1871.
- In 1874, he helped with the Public Worship Regulation Act.
- Another big achievement was the UK Medical Act of 1876. This law made it possible for all qualified doctors to get a license, no matter if they were men or women. This was a big step for equality in medicine.
In 1875, Russell Gurney was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This showed how much he was respected for his work and knowledge.
Russell Gurney's Family
In 1852, Russell Gurney married Emelia Batten. She was born in 1823 and passed away in 1896. Emelia was also an important person. She was a member of the Kensington Society. This group worked to get more rights for women, including the right to vote. Her letters and writings were later published.
