Constituency : Durham 1874-85
Farrer was the other new Liberal to come in at the Durham by-election.
Farrer was the son of a Polish Jew who converted to Nonconformist Christianity and became a minister. Farrer was educated privately then at University College London where he made his name in debate. In 1860 he became a barrister.
Farrer's skill in debate, usually on legal matters such as a resolution to abolish the action of breach of promise of marriage in 1879 , was noted by Gladstone who made him Solicitor-General when he returned to power in 1880. He drafted a number of the government's bills including the Irish Land Act.
When Durham lost one of its members in 1885 Farrer moved to North Lonsdale banking on the Cavendish influence to secure him the seat but he was soundly beaten. However when Lord Selborne and then Henry James declined the Lord Chancellorship Farrer was created Baron Herschell and filled the position.
Farrer resumed the position in 1892 and held it until the fall of Rosebery.
Farrer was a champion of the NSPCC.
In later years Farrer had a tendency to interrupt counsel too much. In 1893 he became chancellor of the University of London. in the late 1890s he sat on boundary commissions for Venezuela and Alaska.
While in Washington for the latter in February 1899 he slipped and fractured his pelvis. He died of heart failure just two weeks later at the age of 61. President McKinley attended his funeral service before his body was removed to England.
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