Lot Essay
William Murray was born in 1704/5, the fourth son of David, 5th Viscount Stormont and his wife Margery, daughter of David Scott of Scotstarrett. After Westminster and Christ Church, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, becoming a Bencher in 1743. Through his eloquence he quickly gained popularity and was made a K.C. and Solicitor-General in Lord Wilmington's Government in 1742, and entered Parliament as Member for Boroughbridge. On the death of Pelham, he succeeded as Attorney-General in the Duke of Newcastle's administration, and two years later as Lord Chief-Justice, being created at the same time Baron Mansfield. He was a supporter of the Bute and Rockingham administrations, and held the seat of the Exchequer between the governments. He was involved with several famous cases, including two which formed the basis of future Colonial Law, and those against Wilkes.
During the Gordon Riots in June 1782 his house in Bloomsbury Square was sacked and burned, and his valuable collection of books, pictures, furniture and manuscripts destroyed. He was compelled to resign his office due to ill-health on 4 June 1788, and he retired to his house Caenwood in Highgate and devoted himself in his last years to horticulture, the study of the Classics and religious meditation. He still took a keen interest in public affairs, and his manners and sprightly wit made him popular in society. He died on 20 March 1793 and was bured in Westminter Abbey. Flaxman's monument to him was erected in the North Transept in 1801.
On 20 September he married Lady Elizabeth Finch, seventh daughter of Daniel, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 6th Earl of Winchelsea. He was created Earl of Mansfield and Caenwood on 1 August 1792 and as there were no children from the marriage, his nephew David Murray succeeded him as 2nd Earl.
As a judge Mansfield showed complete impartiality, and inexhaustible patience. He was also considered perhaps the finest Parliamentary debater. He was a free-trader before Adam Smith, and was given the freedom of the City of Edinburgh for his professional services to the city. Copley's portrait of Mansfield is in the National Portrait Gallery (no.172), together with another portrait of him by Van Loo. Reynolds painted him in 1785-6, and David Martin's portrait is at Christ Church. Other versions of the present portrait are at Raby Castle, Crarae and at Scone Palace.
During the Gordon Riots in June 1782 his house in Bloomsbury Square was sacked and burned, and his valuable collection of books, pictures, furniture and manuscripts destroyed. He was compelled to resign his office due to ill-health on 4 June 1788, and he retired to his house Caenwood in Highgate and devoted himself in his last years to horticulture, the study of the Classics and religious meditation. He still took a keen interest in public affairs, and his manners and sprightly wit made him popular in society. He died on 20 March 1793 and was bured in Westminter Abbey. Flaxman's monument to him was erected in the North Transept in 1801.
On 20 September he married Lady Elizabeth Finch, seventh daughter of Daniel, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 6th Earl of Winchelsea. He was created Earl of Mansfield and Caenwood on 1 August 1792 and as there were no children from the marriage, his nephew David Murray succeeded him as 2nd Earl.
As a judge Mansfield showed complete impartiality, and inexhaustible patience. He was also considered perhaps the finest Parliamentary debater. He was a free-trader before Adam Smith, and was given the freedom of the City of Edinburgh for his professional services to the city. Copley's portrait of Mansfield is in the National Portrait Gallery (no.172), together with another portrait of him by Van Loo. Reynolds painted him in 1785-6, and David Martin's portrait is at Christ Church. Other versions of the present portrait are at Raby Castle, Crarae and at Scone Palace.