CAMPBELL, JOHN
John Campbell, also known as First Baron
Campbell, was born September 15, 1779, in
Scotland. He was admitted to the bar in 1806
and pursued a career in British law and politics.
In 1830, Campbell entered Parliament and
advocated legal reforms in real property and
local government. Two years later he served as
SOLICITOR GENERAL, and from 1834 to 1841, he
was attorney general. In 1850 he performed the
duties of Chief Justice of the Queen’s Bench and
in 1859 became Lord Chancellor.
Campbell is credited with the passage of
three important pieces of legislation: the LIBEL
Act, in 1843; the Copyright Act, in 1846; and the
Obscene Publications Act, in 1857.
As an author, Campbell is famous for Lives of
the Lord Chancellors, published from 1845 to
1847, and for Lives of the Chief Justices, published
from 1849 to 1857.
Campbell died June 23, 1861, in London,
England.
“THE SUPREME COURT IS A VENERABLE TRIBUNAL THAT DESERVES WELL OF THE COUNTRY. IT OUGHT NOT . . . BE AFFECTED BY REVOLUTIONARY POLITICS AND I SHALL TAKE CARE THAT THROUGH ME THIS SHALL NOT BE DONE.” —JOHN CAMPBELL
