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| Born | 5 October 1732 Gredington, Flintshire, Wales |
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| Died | 4 April 1802 (aged 69) Bath, England |
| Birth name | Lloyd Kenyon |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Barrister |
Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon, PC, SL, KC (5 October 1732 – 4 April 1802) was a British politician and barrister, who served as Attorney General, Master of the Rolls and Lord Chief Justice.
Kenyon was descended on his father's side from an old Lancashire family; his mother was from Wales. He was born at Gredington, Flintshire. Educated at Ruthin School, at 15 he was articled to an attorney in Cheshire. In 1750 he entered at Lincoln's Inn, and in 1756 was called to the bar. For several years he had very little to do, and used his time taking notes of the cases argued in the Court of King's Bench, which he later published. Through analyzing the cases of his friend John Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton, he gradually became a successful attorney, after which his success was so rapid that in 1780 he was made King's Counsel. He showed conspicuous ability in the cross-examination of the witnesses at the trial of Lord George Gordon, but his speech was so tactless that the verdict of acquittal was really due to the brilliant effort of Kine, the junior counsel. This lack of tact often lead Kenyon into striking blunders; as an advocate he was, moreover, deficient in ability of statement; and his position was achieved chiefly by hard work, a good knowledge of law and several lucky friendships.
Through the influence of Lord Thurlow, Kenyon in 1780 entered the House of Commons as member for Hindon, and in 1782 he was, through the same friendship, appointed Attorney General in Lord Rockingham's administration, an office which he continued to hold under William Pitt. In 1784 he received the mastership of the rolls, and was created a baronet. In 1788 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice as successor to Lord Mansfield, and the same year was raised to the peerage as Baron Kenyon of Gredington. As he had made many enemies, his elevation was by no means popular with the bar; but on the bench, in spite of his capricious and choleric temper, he proved himself not only an able lawyer, but a judge of rare and inflexible impartiality.
He died at Bath, on 4 April 1802. Kenyon was succeeded as baron by his son George (1776–1855).
References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Dawkins Archibald Macdonald |
Member of Parliament for Hindon 1780–1784 With: Nathaniel William Wraxall |
Succeeded by William Egerton Edward Bearcroft |
| Preceded by John Stephenson John Dawes |
Member of Parliament for Tregony 1784–1788 With: Robert Kingsmill |
Succeeded by Robert Kingsmill Hugh Seymour-Conway |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by John Morton |
Chief Justice of Chester 1780–1784 |
Succeeded by Richard Pepper Arden |
| Preceded by James Wallace |
Attorney General 1782–1783 |
Succeeded by James Wallace |
| Preceded by John Lee |
Attorney General 1783–1784 |
Succeeded by Richard Pepper Arden |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Sewell |
Master of the Rolls 1784–1788 |
Succeeded by Sir Richard Pepper Arden |
| Preceded by Sir William Murray |
Lord Chief Justice 1788–1802 |
Succeeded by Edward Law |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Roger Mostyn, Bt |
Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire 1796–1798 |
Succeeded by Viscount Belgrave |
| Vacant
Title last held by
The Earl of Plymouth |
Custos Rotulorum of Flintshire 1796–1802 |
Succeeded by The Earl Grosvenor |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| New creation | Baron Kenyon 1788–1802 |
Succeeded by George Kenyon |
| Baronetage of Great Britain | ||
| New creation | Baronet (of Gredington, Flint) 1784–1802 |
Succeeded by George Kenyon |
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