Sunday, June 12, 2011

Dinner with the Clerks

June 12 [1827].—At Court, a long hearing. Got home only about three. Corrected proofs, etc. Dined with Baron Clerk, and met several old friends; Will Clerk in particular.

Scott's Journal entry of June 12, 1827 mentions the Clerks; Baron John Scott Clerk, and his son William who was Walter Scott's close friend.  According to Scott biographer John Buchan, Baron Clerk 'forecast the tactics to which Rodney owed his victory.'  Clerk, a barrister, rose to become Lord Chancellor in 1801.

Scott and Will Clerk studied together in their legal schooling.  Quoting Buchan again, 'He (Scott) and William Clerk worked together, examining themselves daily in points of law, and every morning in summer, Scott would walk the two miles to the west end of Princes Street to beat up his friend.'


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.