Monday, 9 December 2013
343 Robert Collier
Constituency : Plymouth 1852-71
Robert was the son of a Quaker merchant and former MP for the city. He was educated at Plymouth's grammar school and Cambridge where he wrote the satirical poem Granta. He had plans to contest Launceston in 1841 which did not come to fruition and became active in the Anti-Corn Law League. He became a successful barrister making his name with a successful defence of some Brazilian pirates which brought him into contact with Peel and Graham.
In 1859 Robert was appointed Judge Advocate of the Fleet and it was he that advised Russell to detain the Alabama in 1862. The following year he became Solicitor-General and held the post until the fall of Russell's government in 1866. In 1868 Gladstone appointed him Attorney-General and he steered the Bankruptcy Bill through the Commons. He held the post until 1871 when he resigned his seat to join the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. This caused the government some difficulties as new legislation had to be passed to qualify Robert for the appointment. Robert had previously turned down the recordership of Bristol in 1870 after an adverse reaction in his constituency.
Robert was a moderate who blamed over-cautious Liberals for the rising Reform agitation in the 1860s. He backed Palmerston but wanted more firmness in domestic reform. He was an accomplished painter who exhibited his work.
Robert was created Baron Monkswell in 1885. He died in France the following year.
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