John Leycester Adolphus
Encyclopedia
John Leycester Adolphus was an English
lawyer, jurist and author. He was the son of John Adolphus
(1768–1845), a well-known London barrister
who wrote A History of England to 1783 (1802), A History of France from 1790 (1803) and other works.
Adolphus was educated at Merchant Taylors' School
and at St. John's College, Oxford. In 1821 he published "Letters to Richard Heber
, Esq.", in which he discussed the authorship of the then anonymous Waverley novels
, and fixed it upon Sir Walter Scott. This conclusion was based on the resemblance of the novels in general style and method to the poems acknowledged by Scott. Scott thought at first that the letters were written by Reginald Heber
, afterwards bishop of Calcutta
, and the discovery of J. L. Adolphus's identity led to a warm friendship.
Adolphus was called to the bar in 1822, and his Circuiteers, an Eclogue, is a parody of the style of two of his colleagues on the Northern Circuit
. He became judge of the Marylebone County Court in 1852, and was a Bencher
of the Inner Temple
. He was the author of "Letters from Spain" in 1856 and 1857 (1858), and was completing his father's "History of England" at the time of his death on 24 December 1862.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
lawyer, jurist and author. He was the son of John Adolphus
John Adolphus
John Adolphus was an English historian from London. He studied law and was called to the Bar in 1807. He wrote Biographical Memoirs of the French Revolution and History of England from 1760-1783 , and other historical and biographical works.His son, John Leycester Adolphus was an English...
(1768–1845), a well-known London 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 wrote A History of England to 1783 (1802), A History of France from 1790 (1803) and other works.
Adolphus was educated at Merchant Taylors' School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
and at St. John's College, Oxford. In 1821 he published "Letters to Richard Heber
Richard Heber
Richard Heber , English book-collector, the half-brother of Reginald Heber, was born in London.As an undergraduate at Brasenose College, Oxford, he began to collect a purely classical library, but his taste broadening, he became interested in early English drama and literature, and began his...
, Esq.", in which he discussed the authorship of the then anonymous Waverley novels
Waverley Novels
The Waverley Novels are a long series of books by Sir Walter Scott. For nearly a century they were among the most popular and widely-read novels in all of Europe. Because he did not publicly acknowledge authorship until 1827, they take their name from Waverley , which was the first...
, and fixed it upon Sir Walter Scott. This conclusion was based on the resemblance of the novels in general style and method to the poems acknowledged by Scott. Scott thought at first that the letters were written by Reginald Heber
Reginald Heber
Reginald Heber was the Church of England's Bishop of Calcutta who is now remembered chiefly as a hymn-writer.-Life:Heber was born at Malpas in Cheshire...
, afterwards bishop of Calcutta
Bishop of Calcutta
The Bishop of Calcutta exercises episcopal leadership over the Diocese of Calcutta of the Church of North India. The diocese was established in 1813 as part of the Church of England and the first bishop was Thomas Fanshawe Middleton and the second Reginald Heber...
, and the discovery of J. L. Adolphus's identity led to a warm friendship.
Adolphus was called to the bar in 1822, and his Circuiteers, an Eclogue, is a parody of the style of two of his colleagues on the Northern Circuit
Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit dates from 1176 when Henry II sent his judges on circuit to do justice in his name. The Circuit encompassed the whole of the North of England but in 1876 it was divided. That part to the west of the Pennines retained the old name. The land to the east became the territory of...
. He became judge of the Marylebone County Court in 1852, and was a Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
of 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...
. He was the author of "Letters from Spain" in 1856 and 1857 (1858), and was completing his father's "History of England" at the time of his death on 24 December 1862.