Edward Northey (barrister)
Sir Edward Northey | |
---|---|
Born | London | 7 May 1652
Died | 14 August 1723 Epsom, Surrey | (aged 71)
Nationality | British |
Occupation(s) | Lawyer and politician |
Sir Edward Northey (7 May 1652 – 14 August 1723), of Woodcote House, Epsom, Surrey, was a senior British barrister and politician who sat in the
Early life
Edward Northey was born in 1652, the son of
Legal career
In 1689, Northey became attorney-general to the Duchy of Lancaster and was touted as the next solicitor-general in 1693, although not appointed. He was later involved in the case surrounding John Toland's work Christianity not Mysterious, arguing successfully that it could not be declared heretical.
In 1701, when Thomas Trevor was promoted to be a judge, Northey was made Attorney General for England and Wales by King William III and was confirmed the following year on the accession of Queen Anne, when he was also knighted. Northey retained the position for the next six years, prosecuting in many trials, including those of David Lindsay and John Tutchin, but refused to become involved in the Henry Sacheverell trial. In 1708, he was replaced by Simon Harcourt, but regained the post in 1710 and held it until 1718.[3]
Political career
In addition to regaining the attorney-generalship, Northey was also elected to parliament in
At the 1715 general election, Northey was returned unopposed as MP for Tiverton. In 1718, he was replaced as attorney-general by Nicholas Lechmere and accepted a pension of £1,500 annually. In 1722, suffering severely from an unidentified paralysis of the right hand, Northey resigned his parliamentary seat and retired to his home in Epsom.[4]
Private life
Northey lived at Woodcote House, Epsom, Surrey which he had built after he acquired the property in 1710. He died at Epsom in 1723 and was buried at Epsom Church where there is a large altar monument. He was survived by his wife Anne and children William, Edward, Elizabeth and Rebecca, and also had a daughter Anne who predeceased him.[5] His daughter Rebecca married Ellerker Bradshaw, MP for Beverley.
Notes
- ^ Foster, Joseph. "Nabbes-Nykke in Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714 pp.1050-1083". British History Online. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ a b "NORTHEY, Sir Edward (1652-1723), of Epsom, Surr". History of Parliament Online (1690-1715). Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Stuart Handley. Retrieved 15 July 2008
- ^ "NORTHEY, Sir Edward (1652-1723), of Epsom, Surr". History of Parliament Online (1715-1754). Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Epsom and Ewell Explorer - Woodcote House