Thomas Erskine

Lord Thomas Erskine (1750-1823) was a famous lawyer, youngest son of the Earl of Buchan, born in Edinburgh. He spent his early years in the navy, and afterwards joined the army. He resigned in 1775 to enter upon the study of law. Erskine called to the bar in 1778, and became a king's counsel in 1783. He was created a baron and Lord Chancellor in 1806. He was engaged in all the famous trials of his time. An unrivalled orator in the law courts, his speeches rank as masterpieces of forensic eloquence.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Let reason be opposed to reason, and argument to argument, and every good government will be safe.

- In Defense of Thomas Paine

• The press must be free; it has always been so and much evil has been corrected by it. If Government finds itself annoyed by it, let it examine its own conduct and it will find the cause.

- Rex v. Paine, 1792

Richard Brinsley Sheridan