Perceval Maitland Laurence
Encyclopedia
Sir Perceval Maitland Laurence (1854–1930) was an English
classical scholar, judge in South Africa
and a benefactor of the University of Cambridge
.
the eldest son of Perceval Laurence, a clergyman and Isabella Sarah Moorsom.
In 1872 Laurence went up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
to read Classics, graduating with first class honours in 1876. Like his father before him, he was President of the Cambridge Union Society, holding office in the Easter Term of 1874.
in 1878 for his essay, written jointly with Courtney Stanhope Kenny
, on The Law and Custom of Primogeniture, the Master of Laws
degree
in 1879, the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for Legal Studies and in 1885 the degree of Doctor of Laws.
Laurence was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn on 18 November 1878 but the effects of tuberculosis
curtailed his English practice of the law and took him instead to the Cape Colony
for the beneficial effect of the drier climate. He practised initially in Kimberley
before being appointed second puisne
judge of the High Court of Griqualand in 1882 and subsequently becoming Judge President in 1888. Moving to Cape Town
in 1905, he served as Chairman of the War Losses Compensation Commission and the Transvaal Delimitation Commissions, for which he was knighted in 1906.
, to establish the Laurence Professorship of Ancient Philosophy
and the Laurence Professorship of Classical Archaeology
and to provide funds generally for the purposes of classical studies. He also endowed his college, Corpus Christi, with funds to support the study of classics and prizes in his name continue to be awarded.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
classical scholar, judge in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and a benefactor of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
Early life and education
Perceval Maitland Laurence was born on 20 April 1854 in WokingWoking
Woking is a large town and civil parish that shares its name with the surrounding local government district, located in the west of Surrey, UK. It is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, with frequent trains and a journey time of 24 minutes to Waterloo station....
the eldest son of Perceval Laurence, a clergyman and Isabella Sarah Moorsom.
In 1872 Laurence went up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
to read Classics, graduating with first class honours in 1876. Like his father before him, he was President of the Cambridge Union Society, holding office in the Easter Term of 1874.
The law
On graduating his studies turned to the law. As a fellow of Corpus Christi, he was awarded the Yorke PrizeYorke Prize
The Yorke Prize is awarded annually by the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge for an essay of between 30,000 and 100,000 words on a legal subject, including the history, analysis, administration and reform of law....
in 1878 for his essay, written jointly with Courtney Stanhope Kenny
Courtney Stanhope Kenny
Courtney Stanhope Kenny was a British jurist, academic and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1888.-Early life and career:...
, on The Law and Custom of Primogeniture, the Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in 1879, the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for Legal Studies and in 1885 the degree of Doctor of Laws.
Laurence was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn on 18 November 1878 but the effects of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
curtailed his English practice of the law and took him instead to the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
for the beneficial effect of the drier climate. He practised initially in Kimberley
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
before being appointed second puisne
Puisne
Puisne is a legal term of art used mainly in British English meaning "inferior in rank." It is pronounced like the word puny, and the word, so spelled, has become an ordinary adjective meaning weak or undersized.The judges and barons of the common law courts at...
judge of the High Court of Griqualand in 1882 and subsequently becoming Judge President in 1888. Moving to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
in 1905, he served as Chairman of the War Losses Compensation Commission and the Transvaal Delimitation Commissions, for which he was knighted in 1906.
Retirement
In 1913 Laurence retired and returned to England and in 1914 was made an honorary fellow of Corpus Christi College. In 1921-23 he served on the Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention. His final work was a biography of John Xavier Merriman, the last prime minister of the Cape Colony, published in 1930, the year of Laurence's death.Benefactor
Laurence died on 28 February 1930. By his will he endowed funds at Cambridge University for the benefit of the Cambridge University LibraryCambridge University Library
The Cambridge University Library is the centrally-administered library of Cambridge University in England. It comprises five separate libraries:* the University Library main building * the Medical Library...
, to establish the Laurence Professorship of Ancient Philosophy
Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy
The Laurence Professorship of Ancient Philosophy at Cambridge University was established in 1930 as one of the offices endowed by the bequest of Sir Perceval Maitland Laurence; it is the oldest chair of ancient philosophy in the world....
and the Laurence Professorship of Classical Archaeology
Laurence Professor of Classical Archaeology
The Laurence Professorship of Classical Archaeology at Cambridge University was established in 1930 as one of the offices endowed by the bequest of Sir Perceval Maitland Laurence.-Laurence Professors of Classical Archaeology:* Arthur Bernard Cook...
and to provide funds generally for the purposes of classical studies. He also endowed his college, Corpus Christi, with funds to support the study of classics and prizes in his name continue to be awarded.
Publications
- Two Essays on the Law of Primogeniture (with Courtney Stanhope Kenny), 1878, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing 2008, ISBN 1437432506
- Judges and Litigants, London 1879
- Collectanea: Essays, Addresses And Reviews, 1899, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing June 2008 ISBN 1436809347
- Catalogue of the Kimberley Public Library, 1891, Compiled by P. M. Laurence ASIN: B0014NV3JE
- Reports of Cases decided in the High Court of Griqualand. Reported by P. M. Laurence ASIN: B0014JX9DQ
- On Circuit in Kaffirland, and other sketches and studies, 1903
- The life of John Xavier Merriman, Constable, London, 1930