New-York tribune., 1907-10-07
OBITUARY..
LORD BRAMPTON.
London. Oct. 6.-Lord Brampton is dead.

Lord Brampton formerly Sir Henry Hawkins,
X b, judge of the High Court of Justice,
born at Hitchin, Hertfcrdshire England, on Sep
tember Il, 1917. His father was John Hawkins, of
Hitchin, solicitor well known in the county and
having good practice there and his mother was
Susannah, daughter of Theed Pearse ESQ Of Bed
ford. Henry Hawkins was educated at Bedford
School and in due course he was entered as a
student of the Middle Temple. He became dill
gent special pleader. and on May 8. 1S43 he was
called to the bar. He then attached himself 10 the
Essex and Hertfordshire sessions. going on the
Home Circuit. In year two ne had acquired
considerable practice. and widely and favor
ably known as "a rising junior" His rapid
cess was due almost entirely his devotion his
profession and 10 his untring endeavors 10 make
a name and a position for himself While still a
Junior Mr.. Hawkins was one of the counsel with
SERGEANT Byles for Sir John Dean Paul the banker
IN 1850 He also appeared. with Edward James
for Simon Bernard, who was tried In 1883 as an
accessory TO the conspiracy against the life of
Napoleon III Later he was frequently associated
with Mr.. James. Under that adroit lawyer Mr
hawkins hrst displayed the keen and searching
power Of cross-examination which so largely con-
trbuted to the reputation he eventually achieved
ana when Mr.. James was removed from the bar
much of MS extensive practice fell to the share
or Mr. Hawkins. IN 1858 Mr.. Hawkins found him
self able TO take silk. and in the same year he
was elected Bencher of the Middle Temple. He
was now one of the most prominent leaders on the
Home Circuit. and engaged in nearly every
important case that came before the Superior
courts. He came to be looked on as the examining
counsel whom a solicitor would most desire to re-
tain for his clients and equally the one whose ter
rible prowess adverse witnesses had most to dread
In the memorable Tichborne case Mr.. Hawkins
was associated with Lord Coeridge against The
claimant He found in this many opportu-
mites Of displaying his remarkable talent for cross
examination and greatly increased the fame he had
already acquired In the subsequent trial Of The
rim Ny au.Fn
Crown, his former leader having then succeeded
the Iate Sir William Bovill Chief Justice of
Common Pleas. He exhibited great ability in the
conduct OF the case-one OF the most protrac.ed in
the annals of jurtsprudence-and he took the first
position among the leading advocates of the day
He obtained conviction. as all the world knows
MI Hawkins also won notable trumphs in the
Probate and Divorce courts. and for many
years engaged in every important compensation
case which happened to come up for hearing He
was selected to act for tho Crown in the purchase
OF lands for the national defences and was also
employed by tho Royal Commissioners for the pur-
chase or the site for the New Law Courts. On No
Vemoer p 1876. he was appointed a judge Of the
queen Bench division Of the High Court of JUS
uce' and on the 14th % the month he
transferred TO the Exoaequer division OF that court
by royal sign manual On tho 18th of the same
month he was made a Knight Bachelor
Long years OF practice gave Sir Henry deep
acquaintance with the criminal classes and also
a profound knowledge OF criminal law He was a
student Of the darker side of human nature and
was especially fitted TO try Old Bailey cases In
this domain he abundantly proved himself 70 be
a judge Of great capacity. To doers OF deeds Of
cruelty in any form his name became one Of ter
ror' but he was ever anxious to deal mercifully
and leniently with those whose offences were un-
tainteI with brutality
Lord Brampton was twice married. In youth he
had liking for various forms OF sport and for
ath!etc exercises generally. and these tastes he
long retained He was Intimately connected WITH
the turf. behind the scenes and for a number OF
years before his elevation to the bench he was
standing counsel for the Jockey Club, holding It's
general retainer
he resigned his seat the bench in 1898 and in
tHe Following year was created Lord Brampton