John Willes (judge)

Sir John Willes

Willes entered Parliament as MP for

By his wife Margaret Brewster, Willes had four sons and four daughters. He is also reputed to have had numerous illegitimate children, none of whom he acknowledged or made any provision for. Of his legitimate children John (1721–1784) inherited Astrop Park and became a Member of Parliament and Edward (1723–1787) followed his father to the Bar and in due course became Solicitor General (1766–1768) and a judge of the Court of King's Bench. Sir John also encouraged his younger cousin Edward of Newbold Comyn to become a barrister: Edward went on to have a distinguished career, ending as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. A grandson was Robert Merry.

Character

Sir John was described by Horace Walpole as a man of open character, sharp intelligence and "strong passions which could not be concealed", He was notorious for gambling and womanising, and was said to have several illegitimate children. When objections were made to his promotion on the grounds of his debauched lifestyle, Sir Robert Walpole reportedly joked that he had always understood that such conduct was an essential qualification for high judicial office. On the other hand, it was generally agreed that his reputation prevented him from becoming Lord Chancellor, an office he undoubtedly wanted and was qualified for on grounds of legal ability.

He was notably severe towards all legal practitioners, especially attorneys, who appeared in his court, and this severity caused a notable falling off of business in the Common Pleas. John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu commissioned William Hogarth to portray Willes unflatteringly in a number of cartoons series Before and After (Hogarth) in which lusty amoral rakes seduce women.

References

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1900). "Willes, John". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 61. London: Smith, Elder & Co.