Thomas Webster (lawyer) facts for kids

Thomas Webster (born 1810, died 1875) was an English lawyer, known for helping to create new laws about patents. Patents are like special rights given to inventors to protect their new ideas. He also helped organize a very famous event called The Great Exhibition.

Who Was Thomas Webster?

Thomas Webster was born on October 16, 1810. His father, also named Thomas Webster, was a church leader in Oakington, Cambridgeshire.

Thomas Webster went to Charterhouse School and then to Trinity College, Cambridge. He studied hard and graduated in 1832. He earned another degree in 1835.

Webster's Early Career

In 1837, Webster became the secretary for the Institution of Civil Engineers. This is a group for engineers. He left that job in 1839 but stayed on as an honorary secretary until 1841.

In 1841, he became a barrister. This means he was officially allowed to argue cases in court. He joined a group of lawyers who worked in the northern part of England.

Helping with Patent Laws

Webster became very good at handling legal cases about science and inventions. He was known as an expert on patent law. He played a big role in changing these laws with the Patent Law Amendment Act of 1852. This law made it easier for inventors to protect their ideas.

He also worked on cases related to Parliament, which is like the government's law-making body. For example, he helped the town of Birkenhead in legal fights about the docks in Liverpool and on the Mersey River.

Involvement with The Great Exhibition

Thomas Webster was an important member of the Society of Arts. This group helped promote new ideas and inventions. In 1845, he was in charge of a meeting where the idea for the International Exhibition of 1851 was first suggested. This event later became known as The Great Exhibition. He was also on the first committee that worked to organize this huge event.

In 1847, Webster became a member of the Fellow of the Royal Society, a very respected group for scientists. In 1865, he was given the special title of Queen's Counsel. He passed away in London on June 3, 1875.

What Did Thomas Webster Write?

Thomas Webster wrote an important book called Reports and Notes of Cases on Letters Patent for Inventions in 1844. This book became a standard guide for lawyers working with patents.

He also wrote a handbook in 1848 called The Ports and Docks of Birkenhead. Later, in 1853 and 1857, he republished reports about the people who managed the Mersey River.

Thomas Webster's Family Life

Thomas Webster was married two times. His first wife was Elizabeth Calthrop, whom he married in 1839. She was from Swineshead Abbey, Lincolnshire. They had three sons and two daughters. One of their sons was Richard Everard Webster, who also became a famous lawyer.

His second wife was Mary Frances Cookworthy. She was from Plymouth and her brother, Joseph Cookworthy, was a politician in Australia. Thomas and Mary Frances had one son and one daughter.