Blackstone
SIR WILLIAM, an English jurist, born in London, July 10, 1723; educated at the Charter House and Pembroke College, Oxford. In 1743 he was elected fellow of All-Souls College, Oxford, and in 1746 was called to the bar; but, having attended the Westminster law courts for seven years without success, he retired to Oxford. Here he gave lectures on law, which suggested to Mr. Viner the idea of founding a professorship at Oxford for the study of the common law; and Blackstone was, in 1758, chosen the first Vinerian Professor. In 1759 he published a new edition of the "Great Charter and Charter of the Forest"; and, during the same year, resumed his attendance at Westminster Hall with abundant success.
In 1761 he was elected M. P. for Hindon, was long the principal text-book English law. He died Feb. 14, 1780.