Anthony Keck (Tiverton MP): Difference between revisions
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==Family== |
==Family== |
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Keck married Mary Thorne. He died a very rich man, although he had to provide for no less than nine daughters. The eldest, Catherine, married Ferdinando Tracy, younger son of John, 3rd [[Viscount Tracy] |
Keck married Mary Thorne. He died a very rich man, although he had to provide for no less than nine daughters. The eldest, Catherine, married firstly Ferdinando Tracy, younger son of John, 3rd [[Viscount Tracy], who died in 1682, and secondly Edward Chute. In January 1680 another, Mary, was married to the young Thomas Vernon, (son of his colleague [[Thomas Vernon (lawyer)|Thomas Vernon]]). A third daughter Elizabeth was the first wife of [[Richard Freeman (Irish judge)|Richard Freeman]], a [[barrister]] who ended his career as [[Lord Chancellor of Ireland]]. |
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Keck's son was also named Anthony Keck and his grandson was [[Anthony James Keck]] who was also a politician for [[Lancashire]] and [[Leicestershire]]. His great grandson was [[George Anthony Legh Keck]] of [[Bank Hall]] who was also an MP for Leicestershire. |
Keck's son was also named Anthony Keck and his grandson was [[Anthony James Keck]] who was also a politician for [[Lancashire]] and [[Leicestershire]]. His great grandson was [[George Anthony Legh Keck]] of [[Bank Hall]] who was also an MP for Leicestershire. |
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Revision as of 21:32, 12 September 2013
Sir Anthony Keck (1630-1696) was a British lawyer and politician; he was member of Parliament between 1691 and 1695, and briefly Commissioner of the Great Seal.[1]
Background
He was the fifth son of Nicholas Keck of Long Marston, Warwickshire, and Margaret Morris. Since he was later described as " a man who raised himself by his wits" , it seems that his family lacked money and influence.
Career
Keck was called to the bar of the Inner Temple in 1659, and was elected a bencher (a member of the governing body) in 1677. During the Popish Plot, he acted for William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, and made something of a name for himself in cases before the House of Lords.
On 4 March 1689 he was named a Commissioner of the Great Seal with Sir John Maynard and Serjeant Rawlinson by the new King William III – these commissioners replaced the notorious Judge Jeffreys as Lord Chancellor, who fled as James II left the country. Knighted the next day, Keck held office till 14 May 1690: his decision to step down was described as a great act of self-denial.
He also served as MP for Tiverton from 1691. Despite being almost crippled by gout, he played a keen part in debate, but developed a very poor opinion of the House of Commons, calling it "a bear garden", poorly attended, and with most of the MPs who did attend being drunk or asleep.
Reputation
He died in his house in Bell Yard, off the Strand in December 1695. Roger North wrote that Keck himself was a republican but would settle in default of a republic for a limited monarchy. North called Keck "a polite, merry genius", but noted that his chronic and painful illness produced a certain hardness of character.
Family
Keck married Mary Thorne. He died a very rich man, although he had to provide for no less than nine daughters. The eldest, Catherine, married firstly Ferdinando Tracy, younger son of John, 3rd [[Viscount Tracy], who died in 1682, and secondly Edward Chute. In January 1680 another, Mary, was married to the young Thomas Vernon, (son of his colleague Thomas Vernon). A third daughter Elizabeth was the first wife of Richard Freeman, a barrister who ended his career as Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
Keck's son was also named Anthony Keck and his grandson was Anthony James Keck who was also a politician for Lancashire and Leicestershire. His great grandson was George Anthony Legh Keck of Bank Hall who was also an MP for Leicestershire.
References
- . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.