Philip Yorke , only son. English judge. Knighted 1719; Solicitor general (1720); attorney general (1724-33); chief justice and privy councilor (1733); lord chancellor (1737). Venn: University Counsel, 1724-33. LL.D. from CORPUS CHRISTI, 1753. S. and h. of Philip, of Dover, Kent. B. there, Dec. 1, 1690. School, Bethnal Green, Middlesex (Mr Morland). Adm. at the Middle Temple, Nov. 29, 1708. Called to the Bar, 1715. Migrated to Lincoln's Inn, July 26, 1724. Bencher, 1724. Serjeant, 1734. M.P. for Lewes, 1719-22; for Seaford, 1722-34. Solicitor-General, 1720-4. Knighted, June 11, 1720. Attorney-General, 1724-33. Chief Justice, K.B., 1733-7. Created Baron Hardwicke, Nov. 23, 1733. Speaker of the House of Lords, 1734 and 1736. Lord Chancellor, 1737-56. One of the Lords Justices (Regents) of the Realm, in 1740, etc. High Steward of Cambridge University, 1749. F.R.S., 1753. Created Viscount Royston, of Cambs., and Earl of Hardwicke, Apr. 2, 1754. Purchased the estate of Wimpole, Cambs., 1740. Married Margaret Lygon, widow, and dau. of Charles Cocks, of Worcester, May 16, 1719. Author, legal. Died Mar. 6, 1764. Buried at Wimpole. Father of Philip (1737), Charles (1739), John (1746) and James (1748). (D.N.B.; Masters; G.E.C.)
|