John Somers (1651-1716), was admitted as a student at the Middle Temple in May 1676 and elected a bencher in 1689. He declined the office of Recorder of London, preferring to represent Worcester in Parliament. He took an active part in debating important legislature of the day, and appeared in several leading cases. On 2 May 1692 he succeeded Sir George Treby as Attorney-General, and in April 1697 was appointed Lord Chancellor being created Baron Somers of Evesham the following year. His liberal views, learning and patience, were in high regard by Somers' contemporaries. He fell from favour with the King, however, and resigned in 1700. He devoted his retirement to the activities of the Royal Society, of which he had become President. Somers was a notable collector of old master pictures and drawings.