Camden, Charles Pratt, 1st Earl (1714-94). Camden was called to the bar in 1738. In 1757 he became attorney-general under Pitt and MP for Downton. In 1761 he was promoted to chief justice of Common Pleas. His most famous case in 1763 involved Wilkes and the libellous North Briton. Camden ruled that general warrants were illegal and gained great popularity. He became lord chancellor in Chatham's second administration and retained the great seal until 1770. He remained in opposition until the death of Chatham, but became president of the council in the Rockingham administration, retaining the post until his death.

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