Christmas Humphreys
Encyclopedia
Travers Christmas Humphreys, QC
(15 February 1901 – 13 April 1983) was a British
barrister
who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the Old Bailey
. He was an enthusiastic Shakespeare scholar and proponent of the Oxfordian theory
. Author of numerous works on Mahayana Buddhism, he was in his day the most noted British convert to Buddhism
. In 1924 he founded what became the London Buddhist Society, which was to have a seminal influence on the growth of the Buddhist tradition in Britain. His former home in St John's Wood, London, is now a Buddhist temple.
, himself a noted barrister and judge. His given name "Christmas" is unusual, but, along with "Travers", had a long history in the Humphreys family. Among friends and family he was generally known as 'Toby'. He attended Malvern College
, where he first became a theosophist and later a convert to Buddhism, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge
; he was called to the bar by the Inner Temple
in 1924.
The same year, Humphreys founded the London Buddhist Lodge, which later changed its name to the Buddhist Society. The impetus for founding the Lodge came from theosophists with whom Humphreys socialised. Both at his home and at the lodge, he played host for eminent spiritual authors such as Nicholas Roerich
and Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, and for prominent Theosophists like Alice Bailey
and far Eastern Buddhist authorities like D.T. Suzuki. Other regular visitors in the 1930s were the Russian singer Vladimir Rosing
and the young Alan Watts
, and in 1931 Humphreys met the spiritual teacher Meher Baba
. The Buddhist Society of London is one of the oldest Buddhist organisations outside Asia
.
to be used. In 1934, he was appointed as Junior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court
(more commonly known as "the Old Bailey"). This job, known unofficially as the 'Treasury devil', involved leading many prosecutions.
Humphreys became Recorder
of Deal
in 1942, a part-time judicial post. In the aftermath of World War II, Humphreys was an assistant prosecutor in the War Crimes trials held in Tokyo. In 1950 he became Senior Treasury Counsel. It was at this time that he led for the Crown in some of the causes célèbres
of the era, including the Craig and Bentley
case and Ruth Ellis
and it was Humphreys who secured the conviction of Timothy Evans
for a murder later found to have been carried out by Reg Christie. All three cases played a part in the later abolition of capital punishment in the United Kingdom
.
Also in 1950 at the trial of the nuclear spy Klaus Fuchs
, Christmas Humphreys was the prosecuting counsel for the Attorney General. In 1955 he was made a Bencher of his Inn and the next year became Recorder of Guildford
.
In 1982 at the Buddhist Society in London, Ruth Ellis's son Andre McCallum secretly taped a conversation with Humphreys (Source: Ruth Ellis: My Sister's Secret Life, Andre McCallum) where he said the following:
"As a barrister for 50 years I was just putting the facts of the actual murder. I knew nothing of the background and I didn't care."
"So you still think there was an injustice in that she [Ruth Ellis] was found guilty of deliberate murder when she wasn't?"
"It [mercy] never came into my mind because, you must understand, how we play in parts as if on a stage. I have my part to play. Defending counsel has his. The judge has his. The jury have theirs... Mercy never came into it. It was never suggested. It was never part of it. There could be no mercy in what seemed to be cold-blooded murder."
"I think I said to the jury, 'Members of the jury this is to all intents and purposes a plea of guilty.'
Ruth Ellis had actually pleaded not guilty at her trial in June 1955.
defended Humphreys in the face of a House of Commons
motion to dismiss him, and he also received support from the National Association of Probation Officers.
. He published his autobiography Both Sides of the Circle in 1978. He also wrote poetry, especially verses inspired by his Buddhist beliefs, one of which posed the question: When I die, who dies?
In addition, Humphreys edited several works by Daisetz Taitaro Suzuki
and co-edited
and wrote forewords/prefaces to
refers to Humphreys in his 1982 song "Cleaning Windows
," which appears on the album Beautiful Vision
.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(15 February 1901 – 13 April 1983) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the Old Bailey
Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey from the street in which it stands, is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court...
. He was an enthusiastic Shakespeare scholar and proponent of the Oxfordian theory
Oxfordian theory
The Oxfordian theory of Shakespearean authorship proposes that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford , wrote the plays and poems traditionally attributed to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. While a large majority of scholars reject all alternative candidates for authorship, popular...
. Author of numerous works on Mahayana Buddhism, he was in his day the most noted British convert to Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
. In 1924 he founded what became the London Buddhist Society, which was to have a seminal influence on the growth of the Buddhist tradition in Britain. His former home in St John's Wood, London, is now a Buddhist temple.
Family and early career
Humphreys was the son of Travers HumphreysTravers Humphreys
The Rt. Hon. Sir Travers Humphreys PC was a noted British barrister and judge who, during a sixty year legal career, was involved in the cases of Oscar Wilde, Hawley Harvey Crippen, George Joseph Smith, the 'Brides in the Bath' murderer, and John George Haigh, the 'Acid Bath Murderer'.-Legal...
, himself a noted barrister and judge. His given name "Christmas" is unusual, but, along with "Travers", had a long history in the Humphreys family. Among friends and family he was generally known as 'Toby'. He attended Malvern College
Malvern College
Malvern College is a coeducational independent school located on a 250 acre campus near the town centre of Malvern, Worcestershire in England. Founded on 25 January 1865, until 1992, the College was a secondary school for boys aged 13 to 18...
, where he first became a theosophist and later a convert to Buddhism, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Trinity Hall is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the fifth-oldest college of the university, having been founded in 1350 by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich.- Foundation :...
; he was called to the bar by the Inner Temple
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 1924.
The same year, Humphreys founded the London Buddhist Lodge, which later changed its name to the Buddhist Society. The impetus for founding the Lodge came from theosophists with whom Humphreys socialised. Both at his home and at the lodge, he played host for eminent spiritual authors such as Nicholas Roerich
Nicholas Roerich
Nicholas Roerich, also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh , was a Russian mystic, painter, philosopher, scientist, writer, traveler, and public figure. A prolific artist, he created thousands of paintings and about 30 literary works...
and Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, and for prominent Theosophists like Alice Bailey
Alice Bailey
Alice Ann Bailey , known as Alice A. Bailey or AAB to her followers, was an influential writer and theosophist in what she termed "Ageless Wisdom". This included occult teachings, "esoteric" psychology and healing, astrological and other philosophic and religious themes...
and far Eastern Buddhist authorities like D.T. Suzuki. Other regular visitors in the 1930s were the Russian singer Vladimir Rosing
Vladimir Rosing
Vladimir Sergeyevich Rosing , aka Val Rosing, was a Russian-born operatic tenor and stage director who spent most of his professional career in England and the United States...
and the young Alan Watts
Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York...
, and in 1931 Humphreys met the spiritual teacher Meher Baba
Meher Baba
Meher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age....
. The Buddhist Society of London is one of the oldest Buddhist organisations outside Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Legal work
When he had first qualified, Humphreys tended to take criminal defence work which allowed his skills in cross-examinationCross-examination
In law, cross-examination is the interrogation of a witness called by one's opponent. It is preceded by direct examination and may be followed by a redirect .- Variations by Jurisdiction :In...
to be used. In 1934, he was appointed as Junior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court
Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey from the street in which it stands, is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court...
(more commonly known as "the Old Bailey"). This job, known unofficially as the 'Treasury devil', involved leading many prosecutions.
Humphreys became Recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
of Deal
Deal, Kent
Deal is a town in Kent England. It lies on the English Channel eight miles north-east of Dover and eight miles south of Ramsgate. It is a former fishing, mining and garrison town...
in 1942, a part-time judicial post. In the aftermath of World War II, Humphreys was an assistant prosecutor in the War Crimes trials held in Tokyo. In 1950 he became Senior Treasury Counsel. It was at this time that he led for the Crown in some of the causes célèbres
Cause célèbre
A is an issue or incident arousing widespread controversy, outside campaigning and heated public debate. The term is particularly used in connection with celebrated legal cases. It is a French phrase in common English use...
of the era, including the Craig and Bentley
Derek Bentley
Derek William Bentley was a British teenager hanged for the murder of a police officer, committed in the course of a burglary attempt. The murder of the police officer was committed by a friend and accomplice of Bentley's, Christopher Craig, then aged 16. Bentley was convicted as a party to the...
case and Ruth Ellis
Ruth Ellis
Ruth Ellis , née Neilson, was the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. She was convicted of the murder of her lover, David Blakely, and hanged at Holloway Prison, London, by Albert Pierrepoint.-Biography:...
and it was Humphreys who secured the conviction of Timothy Evans
Timothy Evans
Timothy John Evans was a Welshman accused of murdering his wife and daughter at their residence in Notting Hill, London in November 1949. In January 1950 Evans was tried and convicted of the murder of his daughter, and he was sentenced to death by hanging...
for a murder later found to have been carried out by Reg Christie. All three cases played a part in the later abolition of capital punishment in the United Kingdom
Capital punishment in the United Kingdom
Capital punishment in the United Kingdom was used from the creation of the state in 1707 until the practice was abolished in the 20th century. The last executions in the United Kingdom, by hanging, took place in 1964, prior to capital punishment being abolished for murder...
.
Also in 1950 at the trial of the nuclear spy Klaus Fuchs
Klaus Fuchs
Klaus Emil Julius Fuchs was a German theoretical physicist and atomic spy who in 1950 was convicted of supplying information from the American, British and Canadian atomic bomb research to the USSR during and shortly after World War II...
, Christmas Humphreys was the prosecuting counsel for the Attorney General. In 1955 he was made a Bencher of his Inn and the next year became Recorder of Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
.
Allegations
Writer Monica Weller has alleged that Humphreys manipulated evidence in the trial of Ruth Ellis, changing witness statements, in order to secure her conviction.In 1982 at the Buddhist Society in London, Ruth Ellis's son Andre McCallum secretly taped a conversation with Humphreys (Source: Ruth Ellis: My Sister's Secret Life, Andre McCallum) where he said the following:
"As a barrister for 50 years I was just putting the facts of the actual murder. I knew nothing of the background and I didn't care."
"So you still think there was an injustice in that she [Ruth Ellis] was found guilty of deliberate murder when she wasn't?"
"It [mercy] never came into my mind because, you must understand, how we play in parts as if on a stage. I have my part to play. Defending counsel has his. The judge has his. The jury have theirs... Mercy never came into it. It was never suggested. It was never part of it. There could be no mercy in what seemed to be cold-blooded murder."
"I think I said to the jury, 'Members of the jury this is to all intents and purposes a plea of guilty.'
Ruth Ellis had actually pleaded not guilty at her trial in June 1955.
Judge
In 1962 Humphreys became a Commissioner at the Old Bailey. He became an Additional Judge there in 1968 and served on the bench until his retirement in 1976. Increasingly he became willing to court controversy by his judicial pronouncements; in 1975 he passed a suspended jail sentence on a man convicted of two counts of rape. The Lord ChancellorLord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
defended Humphreys in the face of a House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
motion to dismiss him, and he also received support from the National Association of Probation Officers.
Literary career
Humphreys was a prolific author of books on the Buddhist tradition. He was also president of the Shakespearean Authorship Society, which advanced the theory that the plays generally attributed to Shakespeare were in fact the work of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of OxfordEdward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford
Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford was an Elizabethan courtier, playwright, lyric poet, sportsman and patron of the arts, and is currently the most popular alternative candidate proposed for the authorship of Shakespeare's works....
. He published his autobiography Both Sides of the Circle in 1978. He also wrote poetry, especially verses inspired by his Buddhist beliefs, one of which posed the question: When I die, who dies?
Published works
- An Invitation to the Buddhist Way of Life for Western Readers
- Both Sides of the Circle London:George Allen & Unwin. Humphreys's autobiography (1978).
- Buddhism: An Introduction and Guide
- Buddhism: The History, Development and Present Day Teaching of the Various Schools
- Buddhist Poems: a Selection, 1920-1970
- A Buddhist Students' Manual
- The Buddhist Way of Action
- The Buddhist Way of Life
- Concentration and Meditation: A Manual of Mind Development
- The Development of Buddhism in England: Being a History of the Buddhist Movement in London and the Provinces (1937)
- Exploring Buddhism
- The Field of Theosophy
- The Great Pearl Robbery of 1913: A Record of Fact (1929)
- An Invitation to the Buddhist Way of Life for Western Readers (1971)
- Karma and Rebirth (1948)
- The Menace in our Midst: With Some Criticisms and Comments, Relevant and Irrelevant
- One Hundred treasures of the Buddhist Society, London (1964)
- Poems I Remember
- Poems of Peace and War (1941)
- A Popular Dictionary of Buddhism
- A Religion for Modern Youth (1930)
- The Search Within
- Seven Murderers
- Sixty Years of Buddhism in England (1907–1967): A History and a Survey
- Studies in the Middle Way: Being Thoughts on Buddhism Applied
- The Sutra of Wei Lang (or Hui Neng) (1953)
- Via Tokyo
- Walk On
- The Way of Action: The Buddha's Way to Enlightenment
- The Way of Action: A Working Philosophy for Western Life
- A Western Approach to Zen: An Enquiry
- The Wisdom of Buddhism
- Zen A Way of Life
- Zen Buddhism
- Zen Comes West: The Present and Future of Zen Buddhism in Britain
- Zen Comes West: Zen Buddhism in Western Society
In addition, Humphreys edited several works by Daisetz Taitaro Suzuki
- Awakening of Zen
- Essays in Zen Buddhism (The Complete Works of D. T. Suzuki)
- An Introduction to Zen Buddhism
- Living by Zen
- Studies in Zen
- The Zen Doctrine of No Mind: The Significance of the Sutra of Hui-Neng (Wei-Lang)
and co-edited
- Secret Doctrine by H.P. Blavatsky
- Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett
and wrote forewords/prefaces to
- Buddhism in Britain by Ian P.
- Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-neng (Shambhala Classics) by W.Y. Evans-Wentz (Foreword), Christmas Humphreys (Foreword), Wong Mou-Lam (Translator), A F Price (Translator)
- Essays In Zen Buddhism (Third Series) by D.T.Suzuki
- Living Zen by Robert LinssenRobert LinssenRobert Linssen was a Belgian Zen Buddhist and author. Linssen wrote in French, but many of his texts have been translated into other languages including English...
- Mahayana Buddhism: A Brief Outline by Beatrice Lane Suzuki
- Some Sayings of the Buddha
Christmas Humphreys in popular culture
Van MorrisonVan Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
refers to Humphreys in his 1982 song "Cleaning Windows
Cleaning Windows
"Cleaning Windows" is a song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded on his 1982 album, Beautiful Vision.-Recording and Composition:...
," which appears on the album Beautiful Vision
Beautiful Vision
Beautiful Vision is an album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was released February 1982 by Warner Bros. Records in the US and Mercury Records in the UK. As with many of Morrison's recordings, spirituality is a major theme and some of the songs are based on the teachings of...
.