John Hatsell
Encyclopedia
John Hatsell was an English civil servant, clerk of the House of Commons
, and an authority on parliamentary procedure.
, where he matriculated in 1751, graduated B.A. in 1755 and M.A. in 1760. He studied law in the Middle Temple
, of which society he became senior bencher. He was clerk assistant in the House of Commons at the close of the reign of George II, and became chief clerk in 1768.
Hatsell retired on 11 July 1797 with the thanks of the House. He died at Marden Park, near Godstone
, Surrey
, on 15 October 1820, and was buried in the Temple Church
.
Clerk of the House of Commons
The Clerk of the House of Commons is the chief executive of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and before 1707 of the House of Commons of England...
, and an authority on parliamentary procedure.
Life
He was educated at Queens' College, CambridgeQueens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
, where he matriculated in 1751, graduated B.A. in 1755 and M.A. in 1760. He studied law in the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
, of which society he became senior bencher. He was clerk assistant in the House of Commons at the close of the reign of George II, and became chief clerk in 1768.
Hatsell retired on 11 July 1797 with the thanks of the House. He died at Marden Park, near Godstone
Godstone
Godstone is a village in the county of Surrey, England. It is located approximately six miles east of Reigate at the junction of the A22 and A25 major roads, and near the M25 motorway.-History:...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, on 15 October 1820, and was buried in the Temple Church
Temple Church
The Temple Church is a late-12th-century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built for and by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. In modern times, two Inns of Court both use the church. It is famous for its effigy tombs and for being a round church...
.
Works
He was the author of:- ‘A Collection of Cases of Privilege of Parliament, from the earliest records to 1628,’ London, 1776. In the British MuseumBritish MuseumThe British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
there is a copy with copious manuscript notes by Francis HargraveFrancis HargraveFrancis Hargrave was an English lawyer and antiquary. He was the most prominent of the five advocates who appeared on behalf of James Somersett in the case which determined, in 1772, the legal status of slaves in England...
. - ‘Precedents of Proceedings in the House of Commons, under separate titles; with observations,’ 4 vols. London, 1781; second edit. 1785–96; third edit. 1796; fourth edition with additions by Charles Abbot, 1st Baron ColchesterCharles Abbot, 1st Baron ColchesterCharles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester PC, FRS was a British barrister and statesman. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons between 1802 and 1817.-Background and education:...
, 1818. Colchester knew him well, and acknowledged him as the best authority on parliamentary procedure.