William Burge facts for kids

William Burge (born 1786, died 1849) was a British lawyer and a special advisor to the King or Queen (called a Privy Councillor). He played an important role in the British Empire, especially concerning the island of Jamaica.

Life and Work of William Burge

Early Career and Time in Jamaica

William Burge started studying at Wadham College, Oxford in 1803. He then trained to become a lawyer and was allowed to practice law in 1808. After that, he joined the Colonial Service. This was a part of the British government that managed its colonies around the world.

Burge was sent to Jamaica, a large island in the Caribbean. He worked there for 12 years as the Attorney General. This job meant he was the main legal advisor to the government in Jamaica. When slavery was ended in the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, William Burge and his wife received money. This was because they owned enslaved people at that time.

A Challenging Legal Case

Burge was involved in a famous legal case that was later changed by the British government. In 1823, two men, Louis Celeste Lecesne and John Escoffery, were arrested in Jamaica. The Governor of Jamaica, the Duke of Manchester, ordered their arrest. William Burge believed these men were dangerous and not truly Jamaican, thinking they were from Haiti.

The men were arrested again later and sent away from Jamaica. They traveled to London, England, to fight their case. The British government eventually decided that their arrest was wrong. During this time, Burge wrote a very long letter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, George Murray. In this letter, he explained his side of the story and the facts as he saw them.

Later Work and Political Views

After returning to London, Burge continued to work as a lawyer. He also became the official representative for Jamaica in Britain, known as the Agent for Jamaica. Even though he said he "hated slavery," Burge supported politicians in Jamaica who did not want to end slavery.

He became well-known in the field of law through his important book. It was called Commentaries on Colonial and Foreign Laws. This book was published many times between 1838 and 1907.

Burge also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area called Eye. He was an MP from 1831 to 1832. After a new law called the Reform Act 1832 changed how elections worked, he tried to become an MP for Oldham in 1832, but he did not win.

Burge remained the Agent for Jamaica until 1847, when the position was ended. He then faced financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt in 1847-1848. Because of this, he was put in prison until April 26, 1849. He passed away at his home in London on November 12, 1849.

Family Life

William Burge's first wife was from a Jamaican family. Her name was Helen Grace Murray Ludford, and she died in 1839. In 1841, he married Margaret Anne Forbes Alison. She was the daughter of the Reverend Archibald Alison and Dorothea Gregory.

Written Works

• Letter to the Right Honorable Sir George Murray Relative to the Deportation of Lecesne and Escoffery from Jamaica, William Burge, 1829
• Commentaries on Colonial and Foreign Laws, 1838 (and new editions until 1907)