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Back to article: 1ST BARON THOMAS WILDE TRURO (1782-1855)

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TRURO, THOMAS WILDE, 1ST BARON (1782-1855), lord chancellor of England, was born in London on the 7th of July
2 In connexion herewith may be mentioned the singular story told by Montagu (Orn. Diet., Suppl. Art. " Grosbeak, White-winged "), on the authority of the then Lord Stanley, afterwards president of the Zoological Society, of one of these birds, which, having apparently escaped from confinement, formed the habit of attending a poultry-yard. On the occasion of a pack of hounds running through the yard, the trumpeter joined and kept up with them for nearly three miles!
1782, being the second son of Thomas Wilde, an attorney. He was educated at St Paul's School and was admitted an attorney in 18o5. He subsequently entered the Inner Temple and was called to the bar in 1817, having practised for two years before as a special pleader. Retained for the defence of Queen Caroline in 182o he distinguished himself by his cross-examination and laid the foundation of an extensive common law practice. He first entered parliament in the Whig interest as member for Newark (1831—1832 and 1835--1841), afterwards representing Worcester (1841—1846). He was appointed solicitor-general in 1839, and became attorney-general in succession to Sir John (afterwards Baron) Campbell in 1841. In 1846 he was appointed chief justice of the common pleas, an office he held until 185o, when he became lord chancellor, and was created Baron Truro of Bowes, Middlesex. He held this latter office until the fall of the ministry in 1852. He died in London on the 1th of November 1855. His son Charles (1816—1891) succeeded as and baron, but on the death of his nephew the 3rd baron in 1899 the title became extinct.
Lord Truro was the uncle of JAMES PLAISTED WILDE, BARON PENZANCE (1816—1899), who was appointed a baron of the court of exchequer in 186o, and was judge of the court of probate and divorce from 1863 to 1872. In 1875 he was appointed dean of the court of arches, retiring in 1899. He was created a peer in 1869, but died without issue, and the title became extinct.