John Bennet (judge)
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Sir John Bennet (1553 – 15 February 1627) was a judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1597 and 1621. His career ended in controversy after he was found guilty of extorting bribes and excessive fees.
Education
Bennet was the second son of Richard Bennet of
Career
Bennet began his career as vicar-general and chancellor in the
In 1597, Bennet was elected
Bennet, who was interested in the affairs of Oxford University, was asked by Sir Thomas Bodley to act as fund-raiser for the Bodleian Library, a task he carried out efficiently. Bennet was one of the first governors of Pembroke College, Oxford. He was elected MP for Oxford University in 1614 and 1621.[2] However, he was accused by Richard Kilvert in Parliament of extracting bribes and excessive fees in his judicial work. The issue was debated in his absence, Bennet pleading ill-health, and it was decided that he should be expelled from the House of Commons and the case referred to the House of Lords. He was placed under house arrest. When he appeared before the House of Lords, he said that he could account for all but £4,000 of the money that had passed through his hands. He was bailed in the sum of £20,000 and ordered to pay to Oxford University £1,000 that he still had as executor of Thomas Bodley's estate: he only paid £550. When the case was eventually tried, Bennet's counsel put up a weak defence. Bennet was fined £20,000, but punishments of imprisonment and disqualification from office were later lifted. It was said that his profiteering from his post overshadowed that of Francis Bacon: "Sir John Bennet hath made my Lord Chancellor an honest man".
Personal life
Bennet married firstly Alice Weekes daughter of Christopher Weekes of Salisbury, and had four sons and two daughters. She died in 1601 and he married secondly Elizabeth Lowe, daughter of Sir Thomas Lowe, alderman of London. She died in 1614 and he married thirdly Leonora daughter of Adrian Vierandeels of Antwerp, a widow.[2]
Bennet died on 15 February 1627 and was buried at Christ Church, Newgate, City of London.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, London, 1884, p.70, as seen on mural monument in York Minster to Anne Weekes, 1st wife of Sir John Bennet
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j History of Parliament Online - Bennet, John
- ISBN 0-907-383-777.
- ^ a b 'Alumni Oxonienses, 1500-1714: Bennell-Bloye', Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714: Abannan-Kyte (1891), pp. 106-141. Date accessed: 9 February 2012
- ^ "Bennet, John (BNT583J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
Sources
- Rigg, James McMullen (1885). . In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 4. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
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