John Heath (1736–1816) was a judge chiefly in criminal trials, in which he earned a reputation for severe sentencing. He was a resident of Hayes, Middlesex, where a road is named after him, Judge Heath Lane.
Heath refused the knighthood that was customary to the office. Cost may have been a factor in his refusal,[1] but it was also in keeping with the reputation he acquired. He was "plain John Heath" - no-nonsense - in speech and in person. Heath possessed great legal and general knowledge, and he paid scrupulous attention to evidence and argument. Once he formed an opinion, he was not easily persuaded to depart from it.
Heath became chiefly known as a judge in criminal trials. He held the view that "there is no regeneration for felons in this life, and for their own sake, as well as for the sake of society, I think it is better to hang".[2] He applied this way of thinking consistently, earning a lasting reputation for severe sentencing. In his private life, however, Heath was reputedly good natured and kind.
A folk-etymology developed in the area, that the village of Heathrow (where the airport is now) was named after him; but the village's name is recorded from long before his time.
Deathedit
Heath continued working up to his death, regularly riding out to court from his home in Hayes, Middlesex. He had been on the bench for more than thirty-five years when he died of apoplexy on 16 January 1816. He is buried in Hayes parish church. Heath did not marry, and the sister with whom he lived for many years predeceased him.
john, heath, judge, john, heath, 1736, 1816, judge, chiefly, criminal, trials, which, earned, reputation, severe, sentencing, resident, hayes, middlesex, where, road, named, after, judge, heath, lane, contents, early, years, career, reputation, death, referenc. John Heath 1736 1816 was a judge chiefly in criminal trials in which he earned a reputation for severe sentencing He was a resident of Hayes Middlesex where a road is named after him Judge Heath Lane Contents 1 Early years 2 Career and reputation 3 Death 4 References 5 External sourcesEarly years editBorn in Exeter to a family of merchants and fullers Heath attended London s Westminster School from 1748 until 1754 when he went up to Christ Church Oxford graduating B A in 1758 and M A in 1762 Career and reputation editAdmitted to the Inner Temple in May 1759 Heath was called to the Bar in 1762 He became a judge in 1779 and in 1780 he succeeded Sir William Blackstone as a Justice of the Common Pleas Heath refused the knighthood that was customary to the office Cost may have been a factor in his refusal 1 but it was also in keeping with the reputation he acquired He was plain John Heath no nonsense in speech and in person Heath possessed great legal and general knowledge and he paid scrupulous attention to evidence and argument Once he formed an opinion he was not easily persuaded to depart from it Heath became chiefly known as a judge in criminal trials He held the view that there is no regeneration for felons in this life and for their own sake as well as for the sake of society I think it is better to hang 2 He applied this way of thinking consistently earning a lasting reputation for severe sentencing In his private life however Heath was reputedly good natured and kind A folk etymology developed in the area that the village of Heathrow where the airport is now was named after him but the village s name is recorded from long before his time Death editHeath continued working up to his death regularly riding out to court from his home in Hayes Middlesex He had been on the bench for more than thirty five years when he died of apoplexy on 16 January 1816 He is buried in Hayes parish church Heath did not marry and the sister with whom he lived for many years predeceased him References edit R W Blencowe Notes and Queries 3rd series 2 1862 p 11 C James Curiosities of law and lawyers 1891 p 30External sources editW R Drake Heathiana notes genealogical and biographical of the family of Heath 1881 P Polden entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Heath judge amp oldid 1186628542, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
