John was the second son of James Rolt, a merchant of Calcutta, and Anne (née Braine). He was born in Calcutta and brought to England by his mother about 1810. He was educated at dissenting private schools at Chipping Norton and Islington. He was orphaned by mid-1814 after the deaths of his bankrupt father in September 1812 or 1813, and his mother in May 1814. He thus became dependent upon his maternal grandparents, yeoman farmers at Fairfield, Gloucestershire. Around Christmas 1818, Rolt was apprenticed to a London firm of woollendrapers.
Although his hours were long, he managed, by early rising and reading as he walked, to educate himself despite the disadvantages of his early life. On the expiration of his indentures in 1822–23, he found employment in a Manchester warehouse in Newgate Street, which he exchanged in 1827 for a clerkship in a proctor's office at Doctors' Commons. His next step was to obtain two secretaryships. One to a school for orphans, the other to the Mill Hill School.[1]
Legal and political careersEdit
Meanwhile, he pursued his studies, and in 1833 entered the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar on 9 June 1837. Confining himself to the Court of Chancery, he rapidly acquired an extensive practice, in particular following his opinion for a large London firm in Stubbs v Lister,[2] which also led to a friendship with Edwin Wilkins Field.[3]
On 18 July 1867, he succeeded Sir George James Turner as Lord Justice of Appeal, and on 3 August was sworn to the Privy Council. Incipient paralysis, due to long-continued overwork, compelled his resignation in February 1868, and on 6 June 1871 he died at his estate, Ozleworth Park, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. He was buried on 12 June in Ozleworth churchyard.[1]
Private and family lifeEdit
In early life Rolt abandoned the dissenters and became a passionate adherent of the Church of England.[1] He married twice:[1]
In 1826 to Sarah (died 1850), daughter of Thomas Bosworth of Bosworth, Leicestershire. The couple had four daughters and a son who succeeded to John's property.
In 1857 to Elizabeth (died 1867), daughter of Stephen Godson of Croydon. The couple had a son.
Legacy and assessmentEdit
It has been said that In parliament Rolt made no great figure, but he voted steadily with his party, and did the drudgery connected with the carriage of the Reform Bill of 1867. Rolt was neither a profound lawyer nor a great advocate; but he was thoroughly versed in chancery practice, had sound judgment, and quickness of apprehension.[1]
john, rolt, officer, british, army, officer, october, 1804, june, 1871, english, lawyer, conservative, politician, judge, served, attorney, general, under, lord, derby, image, from, illustrated, london, news, page, december, 1866, showing, article, about, bein. For the officer see John Rolt British Army officer Sir John Rolt PC 5 October 1804 6 June 1871 was an English lawyer Conservative politician and judge who served as Attorney General under Lord Derby Image from The Illustrated London News Page 648 10 December 1866 showing an article about Sir John Rolt being announced as Attorney General Contents 1 Early life 2 Legal and political careers 3 Private and family life 4 Legacy and assessment 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksEarly life EditJohn was the second son of James Rolt a merchant of Calcutta and Anne nee Braine He was born in Calcutta and brought to England by his mother about 1810 He was educated at dissenting private schools at Chipping Norton and Islington He was orphaned by mid 1814 after the deaths of his bankrupt father in September 1812 or 1813 and his mother in May 1814 He thus became dependent upon his maternal grandparents yeoman farmers at Fairfield Gloucestershire Around Christmas 1818 Rolt was apprenticed to a London firm of woollendrapers Although his hours were long he managed by early rising and reading as he walked to educate himself despite the disadvantages of his early life On the expiration of his indentures in 1822 23 he found employment in a Manchester warehouse in Newgate Street which he exchanged in 1827 for a clerkship in a proctor s office at Doctors Commons His next step was to obtain two secretaryships One to a school for orphans the other to the Mill Hill School 1 Legal and political careers EditMeanwhile he pursued his studies and in 1833 entered the Inner Temple where he was called to the Bar on 9 June 1837 Confining himself to the Court of Chancery he rapidly acquired an extensive practice in particular following his opinion for a large London firm in Stubbs v Lister 2 which also led to a friendship with Edwin Wilkins Field 3 He took silk in Trinity vacation 1846 After some unsuccessful attempts to enter parliament he was returned for the Conservatives for West Gloucestershire on 31 March 1857 and for ten years continued to represent the same constituency In 1862 he carried through the House of Commons the measure commonly known as Rolt s Act 4 by which an important step was taken towards the fusion of law and equity In 1866 he succeeded Sir Hugh Cairns as Attorney General on 29 October and was knighted on 10 November 1 On 18 July 1867 he succeeded Sir George James Turner as Lord Justice of Appeal and on 3 August was sworn to the Privy Council Incipient paralysis due to long continued overwork compelled his resignation in February 1868 and on 6 June 1871 he died at his estate Ozleworth Park Wotton under Edge Gloucestershire He was buried on 12 June in Ozleworth churchyard 1 Private and family life EditIn early life Rolt abandoned the dissenters and became a passionate adherent of the Church of England 1 He married twice 1 In 1826 to Sarah died 1850 daughter of Thomas Bosworth of Bosworth Leicestershire The couple had four daughters and a son who succeeded to John s property In 1857 to Elizabeth died 1867 daughter of Stephen Godson of Croydon The couple had a son Legacy and assessment EditIt has been said that In parliament Rolt made no great figure but he voted steadily with his party and did the drudgery connected with the carriage of the Reform Bill of 1867 Rolt was neither a profound lawyer nor a great advocate but he was thoroughly versed in chancery practice had sound judgment and quickness of apprehension 1 References Edit a b c d e f Rigg 1897 1841 1 Y amp C Ch Cas 81 Rigg rev Polden 2004 25 and 26 Vict c 42Bibliography EditThis article incorporates facts from Leigh Rayment s Peerage Pages self published source better source needed Obituaries Law Magazine 1873 4 117 55 JW The Times 8 June 1871 Solicitors Journal 15 1870 71 580 81 Law Journal 9 June 1871 381 Le Quesne C T ed 1939 Memoirs of Sir John Rolt Rigg J M 1897 Rolt John In Lee Sidney ed Dictionary of National Biography Vol 49 London Smith Elder amp Co rev P Polden 2004 Rolt Sir John 1804 1871 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press accessed 8 Nov 2008 Attribution nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Rolt John Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 External links EditHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by John RoltParliament of the United KingdomPreceded byRobert Blagden HaleRobert Kingscote Member of Parliament for West Gloucestershire1857 1867 With Robert Kingscote Succeeded byRobert KingscoteEdward Arthur SomersetLegal officesPreceded bySir Hugh Cairns Attorney General for England and Wales1866 1867 Succeeded bySir John Burgess Karslake Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Rolt amp oldid 1132899188, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
