Charles Darling, 1st Baron Darling
Encyclopedia
Charles Darling was an English lawyer, politician and later a High Court judge. After being educated privately, he was called to the English Bar (Inner Temple
) in 1874. He was appointed a QC in 1885, and was a Conservative Member of Parliament
for Deptford from 1888 until 1897, when he was appointed a Judge of the Queen's Bench Division. As a judge, he presided over a number of important trials, including the Steine Morrison case (1911), that of 'Chicago May' Churchill and the trial for criminal libel of The Hon Noel Pemberton Billing
MP (1918). He also sat on the criminal appeals of Dr Hawley Crippen and Sir Roger Casement
, both of which he dismissed. He was known for his erudition and at times inappropriate wit, both on and off the bench, as well as for being impeccably dressed and riding to Court on a horse wearing a silk top hat and accompanied by a liveried groom.
He was made a member of the Privy Council in 1917. He retired from the bench in 1923, and was created Baron Darling in 1924. He was active in House of Lords debates on legal issues, including promoting the Infant Life Preservation Act 1929. He was married to Mary Wilberforce from 1884 until her death in 1913. They had two surviving daughters, Lucia and Diana.
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
) in 1874. He was appointed a QC in 1885, and was a Conservative Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Deptford from 1888 until 1897, when he was appointed a Judge of the Queen's Bench Division. As a judge, he presided over a number of important trials, including the Steine Morrison case (1911), that of 'Chicago May' Churchill and the trial for criminal libel of The Hon Noel Pemberton Billing
Noel Pemberton Billing
Noel Pemberton Billing was an English aviator, inventor, publisher, and Member of Parliament. He founded the firm that became Supermarine and promoted air power, but he held a strong antipathy towards the Royal Aircraft Factory and its products...
MP (1918). He also sat on the criminal appeals of Dr Hawley Crippen and Sir Roger Casement
Roger Casement
Roger David Casement —Sir Roger Casement CMG between 1911 and shortly before his execution for treason, when he was stripped of his British honours—was an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary, and nationalist....
, both of which he dismissed. He was known for his erudition and at times inappropriate wit, both on and off the bench, as well as for being impeccably dressed and riding to Court on a horse wearing a silk top hat and accompanied by a liveried groom.
He was made a member of the Privy Council in 1917. He retired from the bench in 1923, and was created Baron Darling in 1924. He was active in House of Lords debates on legal issues, including promoting the Infant Life Preservation Act 1929. He was married to Mary Wilberforce from 1884 until her death in 1913. They had two surviving daughters, Lucia and Diana.