Sir William Garrow: His Life, Times and Fight for Justice

Sir William Garrow was born in Middlesex in 1760 and called to the Bar in 1783. He was the dominant figure at the Old Bailey from 1783 to 1793, later becoming an MP, Solicitor-General, Attorney-General and finally a judge and lawmaker within the Common Law Tradition. Garrow is now in the public-eye for daring to challenge entrenched legal ways and means. His 'gifts to the world' include altering the relationship between judge and jury (the former had until then dominated over the latter in criminal trials), helping to forge the presumption of innocence, rules of evidence and ensuring a general right to put forward a defence using a trained lawyer. He gave new meaning to the trial advocate's forensic art of cross-examination, later diverting skills honed as a radical to help the Crown when it was faced with alleged plots, treason and sedition. This is a generous work in which well-known legal historian and biographer John Hostettler and family story-teller Richard Braby (a descendant of Garrow) combine their skills and experience to produce a gem of a book. The lost story of Sir William Garrow and its rediscovery will prove enlightening for professional and general readers alike and provide an invaluable 'missing-link' for legal and social historians. It is also a remarkable work of genealogical research which will register strongly with family historians.

Foreword Geoffrey Robertson QC. 1.Family Background 2.Education in Criminal Law 3.Garrow and English Criminal Procedure 4.Early Trials 5.Adversary Trial and Human Rights 6.Government Prosecutor 7.The Picton Trials 8.Member of Parliament and Law Officer 9.Garrow vs. Brougham 10.Judge 11.Garrow's Homes 12.Sarah 13.Garrow's Will And Trust 14.Garrow's Extended Family 15.Joseph Garrow's Literary Legacy 16.Published Stories 17.Conclusion Timeline of William Garrow's Life APPENDIX 1: Garrow Genealogical Studies APPENDIX 2: A Snapshot of Crime and Punishment in the 1800s APPENDIX 3: Some Primary Sources Select bibliography Index