biography
| name: |
Romilly, Sir Samuel
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1757–1818)
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| biography:
| Lawyer and law reformer, born in London, UK. Called to the bar in 1783, he served as chancellor of the county palatine of Durham (1805–15). Appointed solicitor general in 1806, he entered parliament and was knighted in the same year. He worked to reduce the severity of English criminal law, notably to end capital punishment for minor felonies, and his efforts contributed to reforms carrried out after his death. He followed the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Benthan, and was the outstanding Chancery lawyer of his time. He favoured the emancipation of Catholics, took part in anti-slavery legislation, and opposed the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act and the spy system. His works include Observations on the Criminal Law of England (1810). |
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