Thomas Haycraft facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Haycraft
|
|
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Palestine | |
| In office 1921–1927 |
|
| Succeeded by | Michael McDonnell |
| Chief Justice of Grenada | |
| In office 1916–1921 |
|
| Preceded by | F. Hardyman Parker |
| Succeeded by | George O'Donnell Walton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Wagstaffe Haycraft
5 October 1858 Islington, London, England |
| Died | 16 July 1936 (aged 77) Surrey, England |
| Spouse |
Pauline Richard
(m. 1891) |
| Relations | John Berry Haycraft (brother) |
| Children | 1 |
| Occupation | Barrister |
Sir Thomas Wagstaffe Haycraft (born October 5, 1858 – died July 16, 1936) was an English lawyer. He worked for the British government in different parts of the world. Sir Thomas was a very important judge, serving as the top judge (called Chief Justice) in Grenada from 1916 to 1921. Later, he became the Chief Justice of Palestine from 1921 to 1927. While in Palestine, he led a special group called the Haycraft Commission of Inquiry. This group investigated the reasons behind the Jaffa Riots, which were serious events in the area.
Becoming a Top Judge
Thomas Haycraft was born in Islington, London, England. His father, John Berry Haycraft, was a specialist in numbers and statistics. Thomas had an older brother, also named John Berry Haycraft.
He studied at St. John's College, Oxford, a famous university. In 1885, he became a lawyer, which is called being "called to the Bar" in England. He worked as a lawyer in the southeastern part of England. He also helped settle disagreements as an arbitrator and checked legal documents for the High Court.
Working Around the World
In 1899, Thomas Haycraft moved to Larnaca in Cyprus. There, he became the President of the District Court. After 12 years in Cyprus, he moved to Gibraltar to work as a Police Magistrate. This role involved handling smaller legal cases.
In 1913, he moved again, this time to Mauritius, where he became a judge. His career continued to advance. In 1916, he was promoted to Chief Justice of Grenada, making him the highest judge there.
In 1921, Sir Thomas Haycraft took on an even bigger role. He moved to Palestine to become its first British Chief Justice. He retired from this important position in 1927. Sir Thomas Haycraft passed away in Surrey, England, in 1936.
Family Life
In 1891, Thomas Haycraft married Pauline Richard. Her father, Captain Paul Richard, was a soldier in the French Imperial Guard. Thomas and Pauline had one son together, who also became a military leader, Brigadier Thomas Wagstaffe Richard Haycraft.
